The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2021

38 new cases and two recent deaths related to COVID-19 as health officials warn public about Omicron variant

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 38 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two recent deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,542. A full report will be available on Monday.

On Nov. 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. No cases of this variant have been identified in the United States to date. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is following the details of this new variant, first reported to the World Health Organization by South Africa.

“Although the Omicron variant has not been identified in the United States, some health officials believe that it is already in our country. This new variant is said to have been identified in several countries, which makes it a greater concern for everyone including our people here on the Navajo Nation. We have to remain strong and keep pushing back on the virus by practicing safety measures, getting more of our people fully vaccinated, and getting more people to get their booster shots if they were previously fully vaccinated. We are in this together and we must continue to pray for our loved ones,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Navajo Department of Health Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim stated, “There is still much to be learned about the Omicron variant, but we should all continue to take precautions that help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 such as wearing a mask in public, washing your hands frequently, practicing social distancing, and limiting travel and in-person gatherings. We have to be mindful at all times that we are still in a state of public health emergency.”

Health care facilities across the Navajo Nation continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines. If you would like to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact your health care provider and schedule an appointment.

“We know what measures we have to take to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our homes and our communities. Our frontline workers continue to fight for us each day, so let’s do our part to fight for them by taking precautions and keeping ourselves safe and healthy. Be very careful and keep 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 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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