The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2021

24 new cases, 29,645 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19, increase in infections is due to residents traveling off the Navajo Nation 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 24 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,357 as previously reported. The report indicates that 29,645 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 283,322 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 31,067. 

The Navajo Department of Health reported that the increase in new infections reported on Thursday, is due to family cluster cases related to recent travel to Las Vegas, NV. Contact tracers continue to investigate to determine the extent of exposures and to determine if the individuals were vaccinated. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,644
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,985
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,685
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,924
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,752
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,288
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,777
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,993

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

On Thursday, the state of Arizona reported 625 new cases, Utah reported 668 cases, and New Mexico reported 132 cases. 

“The increase in cases today is being looked into by contact tracers. We were informed that family members traveled to Las Vegas recently and brought the virus back to their homes. This serves as a strong reminder that the variants, including the dominant Delta variant, continue to pose a threat. We need to be very cautious and always wear a mask when you travel on or off the Navajo Nation and when you visit family members who live in separate households. The data across the country shows that states with lower vaccination rates are now having surges in new cases of COVID-19. If you haven’t been fully vaccinated, our health care experts strongly urge you to do so. Getting vaccinated helps to protect against the virus and reduces the impacts if you do get the virus. We have approximately 70-percent of our residents fully vaccinated here on the NavajoNation, but we can and should do better. Throughout the pandemic, the Navajo people have been a model for the rest of the country in pushing back on COVID-19. So, please keep your guard up and continue to take precautions,” 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. 

“We shouldn’t be discouraged by the increase in new cases reported today. We have to remain strong, keep supporting one another, and encourage our loved ones to get vaccinated. Our health care workers are fighting hard for us each day, so let’s help them by taking precautions to keep ourselves safe and healthy. Continue to pray for our people and our 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. 

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