The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2021

3 new cases, 16,425 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID-19 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, 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 one more death. The total number of deaths is now 1,259 as of Tuesday. Reports indicate that 16,425 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 256,231 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,182, including one delayed reported case.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,529
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,882
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,602
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,768
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,677
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,070
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,664
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,972

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

On Tuesday, the state of Arizona reported 570 new cases, Utah reported 300, and New Mexico reported 181. On Tuesday, NavajoNation President Jonathan Nez announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 B.1.429 variant on the Navajo Nation, which came from a test sample obtained in the Chinle Service Unit area. The variant was first identified in the state of California and has since been detected across the southwest U.S. 

“The new variant detected on the Navajo Nation should not cause us to panic, but it should motivate us to stay informed, to inform our loved ones, and to hold each other accountable for continuing to take all precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We now have the U.K. and the B.1.429 variants identified on the Navajo Nation, which are widespread in our region of the country. If you take all precautions and limit travel to essential activities, you greatly minimize the chances of contracting the virus. We have to keep fighting COVID-19 together and please do not let down your guard. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid large in-person gatherings, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Nez-Lizer Administration will hold an online town hall on Thursday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. (MDT) on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel to provide additional COVID-19 updates.

“Please continue to be safe and to monitor any potential symptoms related to COVID-19. If you have symptoms, please isolate and get tested as soon as possible to help prevent any further spread of the virus. We have to remain strong and keep fighting COVID-19 together. Please take all precautions and keep praying 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 NavajoDepartment 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.