The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2020

157 new cases, 11,292 recoveries related to COVID-19 as public health experts urge public to avoid in-person gatherings

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 157 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains at 755 as of Wednesday. Reports indicate that 11,292 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 195,438 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 21,513.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 4,083
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,251
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,255
• Gallup Service Unit: 3,542
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,065
• Shiprock Service Unit: 3,614
• Tuba City Service Unit: 2,305
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,376

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

On Wednesday, the state of Arizona reported 6,058 new cases, Utah reported 2,612, and New Mexico reported 1,174 new cases. The Navajo Nation remains in a three-week lockdown that requires all residents to remain home at all times with the exception of essential workers that are required to report to work, cases of emergencies, and to obtain essential items such as food, water, and medication. 

“We now have the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that are being administered to our frontline health care workers here on the Navajo Nation. This does not mean that we let up and become complacent. Instead, we have to do even better and keep fighting this potentially deadly virus together. This Christmas, please do not gather in person with anyone outside of your immediate household due to the risk of spreading COVID-19. The incubation period for the virus makes it very difficult to detect if someone has COVID-19 and some people don’t experience any symptoms, but are still able to spread it to others. Please be safe and plan ahead for the holidays,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Nez-Lizer team along with Miss Navajo Nation Shaandiin Parrish distributed turkeys and other items to health care workers at Tuba City Regional Health Care Center and Shonto, Arizona, to help families stay safe and healthy during the holidays. 

On Thursday, Dec. 24 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. They will be joined by Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla, who will provide information about the Pfizer vaccine. 

“Be safe and make good decisions for your family members, especially the elders and those with existing health conditions. We all have to be strong and do our best to remain optimistic. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel and we will get there together. Keep praying,” 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.

https://www.facebook.com/NezLizer2018/posts/2684486818483511