The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2021

3 new cases, 29,594 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19, first case of the Delta variant identified on the Navajo Nation

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported three new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,348 as previously reported. The report indicates that 29,594 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 280,559 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,979. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,627
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,977
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,678
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,909
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,742
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,274
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,762
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,991

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

On Friday, the state of Arizona reported 587 new cases, Utah reported 309, and New Mexico reported 76 cases.  On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health reported the first confirmed case of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Delta variant, also referred to as the B.1.617.2 variant, from a COVID-19 test sample that was obtained in the northern region of the Navajo Nation. The Delta variant has become prevalent in the United States over the past few weeks and has been detected in many states, including the Four Corners states.

The Delta variant is more transmissible and can cause more severe illness, however, reports indicate that the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing serious COVID-19 illness from the Delta variant. Navajo Nation residents are encouraged to get vaccinated and to continue wearing masks in public, practicing social distancing, hand washing, and other preventive measures.

“We have several variants on the Navajo Nation and now we have the Delta variant identified in our communities. This should encourage more of our people to get fully vaccinated to push back on the severity of the variants. Masks are also key to reducing transmission of the virus from person to person. In other parts of the country, they are now reporting that the large majority of new infections involve individuals who are not vaccinated for COVID-19. We have to continue to fight this virus and take precautions to protect ourselves and others. Please be safe and wear a mask in public,” 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. 

“Although the Delta variant presents another challenge, we are optimistic that if we keep taking precautions and get more of our people vaccinated, we can prevent a large spike in new infections. It takes all of us working together and continuing to listen to our health care experts. Be safe and keep praying for our communities, our people, and frontline 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 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.