The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2020

235 new cases, 10,999 recoveries, and three more deaths related to COVID-19 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Saturday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 235 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 745 as of Saturday. Reports indicate that 10,999 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 189,151 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 20,810 including six delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 3,991
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,193
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,201
• Gallup Service Unit: 3,441
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,007
• Shiprock Service Unit: 3,488
• Tuba City Service Unit: 2,212
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,255

* 22 residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.

On Saturday, the state of Arizona reported 5,560 new cases, Utah reported 2,408, and New Mexico reported 1,442 new cases. The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown remains in effect until Monday, Dec. 21 at 5:00 a.m. (MST). All businesses will be closed during the weekend lockdown and all residents are required to remain home with the exception of essential workers and cases of emergencies.

“As we continue with the 57-hour weekend lockdown, please continue to adhere to the safety measures in place by staying home, wearing a mask, avoiding gatherings, social distancing, and washing your hands often. With a second vaccine, Moderna, being authorized by the Federal Drug Administration, we now have another tool to help us in the fight against COVID-19. Until the vaccines are widely available for the general public, we have to remain vigilant and continue taking all precautions to keep our families and ourselves safe and healthy. Please keep praying for all of our frontline warriors and for all of those who are fighting the coronavirus at this moment,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 10:00 a.m. (MST), the Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page to provide additional updates. 

“We are very grateful to be receiving some relief with the two vaccines that have been authorized to fight COVID-19 and the federal medical personnel now helping in our health care facilities, but we all have to do our part as well. Please stay home as much as possible and keep praying for all of our frontline warriors fighting for us,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

For more information, including helpful prevention tips, and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website: http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.