The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2021

15 new cases, 16,223 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 15 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,218 as of Saturday. Reports indicate that 16,223 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 248,781 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 29,945. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,508
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,867
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,567
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,732
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,644
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,020
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,632
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,957

* 18 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 262 new cases, Utah reported 491, and New Mexico reported 198 new cases. On Monday, March 15, the Navajo Nation will transition from “red status” to “orange status” in accordance with gating measures and indicators that take into account several factors including the declining number of COVID-19 cases, testing availability, hospital capacity and bed usage, and contact tracing. The Navajo Nation’s daily curfew remains in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (MDT) seven days a week.

“Health care experts continue to caution everyone about traveling. We know that our numbers of daily new cases are low, but we all know how quickly another surge can happen. It’s important for the health and well-being of everyone to continue taking all safety measures such as wearing a mask, or even two masks, in public. We have to keep our guard up at all times and not let down. Vaccines continue to be administered across the Navajo Nation and we encourage everyone to consider getting vaccinated to help in this fight against COVID-19. Continue staying home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and crowds, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Health care facilities across the Navajo Nation continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines during drive-thru events or by appointment. If you would like to receive the vaccine, please contact your health care provider for more information for your Service Unit. 

“For a year we’ve been fighting this virus together and we are making great progress, but the fight is not over. It takes all of us working together and keeping our guard up to overcome this pandemic. We are seeing good results right now and we want to see more improvements in terms of less infections, less hospitalizations, and more vaccines getting into the arms of people. Be safe and continue to pray for our people,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

The latest public health emergency orders that will take effect on Monday, March 15, are available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. 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.