The Navajo Nation
Office of the President and Vice President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2022
10 new cases, 39,499 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19, first case of Omicron variant detected on the Navajo Nation
WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Monday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 10 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,590. The report indicates that 39,499 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 418,619 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 41,657, including 56 delayed reported cases.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 7,486
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,944
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,818
- Gallup Service Unit: 6,791
- Kayenta Service Unit: 3,556
- Shiprock Service Unit: 7,417
- Tuba City Service Unit: 5,167
- Winslow Service Unit: 2,456
* 22 residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
On Monday, the state of Arizona reported 14,192 new cases, which includes some delayed reported cases due to the recent New Year holiday. The state of Utah reported 14,754 new cases, and New Mexico reported 7,313, which also includes cases from over the holiday weekend. Based on cases from Dec. 17 to Dec. 30, 2021, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 42 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19:
| Bird Springs
Black Mesa Bread Springs Cameron Casamero Lake Chichiltah Chinle Churchrock Crownpoint |
Ganado
Houck Indian Wells Iyanbito Kaibeto Kayenta Leupp Low Mountain Lukachukai |
Manuelito
Many Farms Mexican Springs Naschitti Pinedale Pinon Rock Point Rock Springs |
Sheepsprings
Shiprock Shonto Smith Lake St. Michaels Tachee/Blue Gap Thoreau Tohajiilee |
Tohatchi
Tsaile/Wheatfields Tselani/Cottonwood Tuba City Twin Lakes Two Grey Hills Upper Fruitland White Cone |
The Navajo Epidemiology Center, under the Navajo Department of Health, has confirmed the first known case of the Omicron variant from a sample collected from mid-December 2021 from the Utah Navajo Health System. Additional information will be forthcoming as more is learned.
“The first known case of the Omicron variant has been found here on the Navajo Nation. This is not a time to panic, but we must step up our efforts to take the necessary precautions to limit the spread of this new variant in our communities. Health officials recommend wearing two masks in public due to how quickly the Omicron variant has spread in other parts of the world. In many parts of the country, more and more health care workers are having to isolate due to the spread of the Omicron variant. This is creating many challenges for hospital facilities, which also impacts hospitals on the NavajoNation. Our best defense against the Omicron variant is to get fully vaccinated and get a booster shot. Please be very cautious in public, get vaccinated, and isolate if you are experiencing symptoms that are similar to those related to COVID-19,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Health care facilities on 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.
“With the New Year upon us, we pray that our people have a renewed determination to do everything possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant and that we take big strides to overcome this pandemic together. Please be safe, think of health care workers, and continue to pray for all of our people and our communities,” 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.