The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2021

4 new cases, 16,477 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19 

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 four 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 261,119 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,371, including one delayed reported case.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,554
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,932
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,612
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,814
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,693
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,093
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,680
• 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 Monday, the state of Arizona reported 692 new cases, Utah reported 200, and New Mexico reported 638, which includes cases from the past weekend and Monday. The Navajo Department of Health identified four communities including Crownpoint, Rock Springs, Thoreau, and Tohajilee in the latest Health Advisory Notice with “uncontrolled spread” of COVID-19 from April 2, 2021 to April 15, 2021.

“Through contact tracing, it appears that the majority of new COVID-19 cases are directly related to individuals who host or attend in-person family gatherings in which masks and other precautionary measures are not enforced, and those who travel off the NavajoNation and bring back the virus. As we always say, the safest place to be is at home here on the Navajo Nation. We cannot let up our guard. We have to keep pushing back on COVID-19 and the variants. 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. 

“The more precautions we take now, the sooner we will overcome this pandemic. We know how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the variants, but it takes all of us working together. Our public health experts continue to urge our people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to help push back on the pandemic. Please be safe and continue to pray for our people and health care workers,” 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.