The Navajo Nation
Office of the President and Vice President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2021
7 new cases, 29,329 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID-19
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the NavajoEpidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported seven new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths is now 1,293 as of Sunday. Reports indicate that 29,329 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 270,159 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,715.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 5,591
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,948
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,656
- Gallup Service Unit: 4,873
- Kayenta Service Unit: 2,724
- Shiprock Service Unit: 5,187
- Tuba City Service Unit: 3,734
- Winslow Service Unit: 1,983
* 19 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 482 new cases, Utah reported 242, and New Mexico will report weekend case numbers on Monday.
“Health care facilities across the Navajo Nation are now vaccinating adolescents within the age range of 12 to 15, so this is an opportunity for families to get vaccinated together. Individually and collectively, we have to continue to stay informed and be proactive about protecting ourselves and others and that includes wearing masks in public. The CDC recently issued new guidance that loosens their recommendations for wearing masks, but here on the Navajo Nation we continue to require masks to be worn at all times in public whether you’re indoors or outdoors. Please continue to practice social distancing, avoid large in-person gatherings, stay home as much as possible, get vaccinated, and wash your hands often,” said President 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.
“Community immunity is within reach for our Nation, but we still need more of our people to get vaccinated. Our health care workers are going above and beyond to make the vaccines widely available, so please consider getting vaccinated if you haven’t already. We are overcoming the pandemic one day at a time, but we have to keep pushing back on the virus. Please be safe and continue 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 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.