The Navajo Nation
Office of the President and Vice President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2021
96 new cases, 13,531 recoveries, and four more deaths related to COVID-19
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 96 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and four more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 919 as of Sunday. Reports indicate that 13,531 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 222,707 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 26,383.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 4,906
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,638
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,724
- Gallup Service Unit: 4,228
- Kayenta Service Unit: 2,438
- Shiprock Service Unit: 4,622
- Tuba City Service Unit: 3,092
- Winslow Service Unit: 1,698
* 37 residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
On Sunday, the state of Arizona reported 6,981 new cases, Utah reported 1,585, and New Mexico reported 751 new cases. The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown is in effect until Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 at 5:00 a.m. (MST). All Navajo Nation residents are required to remain home for the duration of the 57-hour weekend lockdown, with the exception of essential workers who are required to report to work and cases of emergencies.
“Now that the holidays have passed, I am optimistic that we are seeing a consistent flattening of the curve. We had several days where the numbers of new COVID-19 cases were high, but we’ve had a few days where it has begun to flatten. With vaccinations now being administered, we are hopeful that the numbers will decrease even more. At the same time, we have to remain diligent because the COVID-19 risks are still there in our communities among our people. Please stay at home as much as possible, do not hold in-person gatherings with anyone outside of your immediate household, avoid crowds and practice social distancing, wear a mask in public, and wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
The Navajo Health Command Operations Center, under the Navajo Department of Health, now has an online registration form available for those who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The online registry will assist with planning the allocation of vaccines and in scheduling individuals at the appropriate health care facility. Please visit the following link for more information and to register: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Vaccine/Vaccine-Registration.
“We see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have quite a way to go. So please continue to be safe and to take all precautions to protect your family and your communities. We have to continue to be strong and to support one another. Thank you to all of the health care workers and first responders for everything you are doing. Please continue to pray for our people,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.
COVID-19 testing schedules are available online at the Navajo Health Command Operations Center website: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Testing. 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.