The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2021

18 new cases, 16,289 recoveries, and six more deaths related to COVID-19 as President Nez continues to urge residents to take all precautions and limit travel

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 18 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and six more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,228 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that 16,289 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 250,472 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 29,987, including one delayed reported case.  

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,514
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,869
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,574
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,738
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,647
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,026
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,639
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,962

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

On Thursday, the state of Arizona reported 284 new cases, Utah reported 560, and New Mexico reported 263 new cases. 

“A couple days ago, we only had two new cases of COVID-19 reported and today we have 18. This is very concerning because we know that there are variants of the COVID-19 virus that continue to spread across the country. While we don’t have any confirmed variant cases here on the Navajo Nation, we strongly urge all of our residents to limit their travel to only essential activities. Now is not the time to go on vacation or to hold large in-person gatherings. Reports indicate that at least 12 states are now reporting increases in new infections once again. We cannot let another surge occur here on the Navajo Nation. Our best weapons against this virus are the vaccines and the precautions that have been recommended by public health experts since the start of the pandemic. Personal responsibility is key to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to stay home as much as possible, wear one or two masks in public and near others who do not reside under the same household as you, avoid large crowds and gatherings, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Friday, at 9:00 a.m. (MDT), the Navajo Nation will hold a virtual “Navajo Nation Day of Prayer” event that will include remarks from Navajo Nation leaders, newly-confirmed U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, faith-based leaders, and Indian Health Service. The event will be live-streamed on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page, YouTube channel, and the Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services Facebook page. 

“The entire country is in a race to vaccinate as many people as possible before the COVID-19 variants spread even further. We know how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and personal responsibility is the key factor. Please continue to take all precautions and listen to our health experts. Make good decisions for you and your loved ones and continue to pray for our people,” 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.