The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2021

3 new cases, 16,231 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 as officials continue to urge Navajo Nation residents to keep their guard up

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 three new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,218 as previously reported on Saturday. Reports indicate that 16,231 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 249,020 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 29,948. 

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: 5,022
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,633
• 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 Sunday, the state of Arizona reported 649 new cases, Utah reported 396, and New Mexico reported 160 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.

“Keep your guard up and don’t let down. Continue staying home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and crowds, and wash your hands often. Three reported cases of COVID-19 is very good news, but there is still substantial risk especially if you travel to border towns and cities off of the Navajo Nation. It’s taken over six months to reach this point of having very low numbers of new cases of COVID-19 reported and we all know how quickly another surge can happen. Please continue to hold yourselves and your loved ones accountable to help keep our numbers low. The Navajo Nation is doing good right now, so let’s keep it up and keep fighting this virus,” 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. 

“Our Navajo people and health care workers are doing great, but we have to continue taking all precautions. The light at the end of this dark tunnel is getting a little brighter with the more people that get vaccinated. Let’s stay focused and keep praying for our communities and first responders,” 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.