The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2021

70 new cases, 37,982 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID-19, Arizona confirms first known case of the Omicron variant

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 70 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths is now 1,557, including five delayed reported deaths. The report indicates that 37,982 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 400,731 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 40,254, including 13 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,057
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,838
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,683
• Gallup Service Unit: 6,631
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,451
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,217
• Tuba City Service Unit: 4,988
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,367

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

On Wednesday, the state of Arizona reported 3,506 new cases, Utah reported 1,423 new cases, and New Mexico reported 1,444. The Arizona Department of Health Services announced the state of Arizona’s first known confirmed case of the Omicron variant found in Yavapai County. While scientists continue to study the new variant, health officials strongly urge the public to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to receive a booster shot, if eligible.  

“We all have to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by taking precautions such as wearing a mask in public, practicing social distancing, washing your hands often, limiting travel, and staying home as much as possible. Now that the Omicron variant has been found in Arizona, the most proactive step we can take is to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and get a booster shot. All of these measures will help to lower the number of infections, hospitalizations, and the strain that is currently on our health care system. Our frontline warriors need our help to lower the number of new cases. We have to remain strong and keep pushing back on the variants. Please keep praying and taking precautions,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

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.

“Thanks to our health experts, we know how to lower the spread of COVID-19 in our homes and in our communities. We have to be more diligent and keep practicing the safety measures that the health experts put forth. We are in this together and we are overcoming this pandemic one day at a time, but we have much more that needs to be done. Please be safe, keep praying, and supporting one another through these challenging times,” 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.