The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2021

2 new cases, 16,477 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19 reported for seventh consecutive day

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 two new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,262 as previously reported. Reports indicate that 16,477 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 260,477 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,357.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,550
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,926
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,612
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,813
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,692
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,093
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,678
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,974

* 19 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 480 new cases, Utah reported 413, and New Mexico will report its weekend numbers on Monday.  

“We have several cases of COVID-19 variants reported in different regions of the Navajo Nation, which are more transmissible. This means that the variants can spread from person to person at a higher rate than the original strand of the virus. Please exercise extreme caution and do not hold large in-person gatherings. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last year, but we are not out of this pandemic yet. When you wear a mask, you are protecting yourself and others. Your mask is your armor in fight against COVID-19. Please stay home as much as possible, avoid large in-person gatherings, wear a mask, practice social distancing, 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. 

“Keep up your guard at all times and keep supporting and encouraging one another. Mental health is another great concern during this pandemic. If you have a parent or grandparent that lives alone, please give them a call to check on them often. If you plan to visit, please maintain social distancing and wear a mask if they do not reside in the same household. We have to remain strong and continue to pray,” 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. 

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