The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2022

168 new cases, 39,602 recoveries, and two deaths related to COVID-19

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 168 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,592. The report indicates that 39,602 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 422,580 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 41,971, including 24 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,564
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,971
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,834
• Gallup Service Unit: 6,851
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,587
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,455
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,219
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,468

* 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 7,749 new cases, the state of Utah reported 7,247 cases, and New Mexico reported 2,514.

“We have a high number of new infections reported today. It’s more important than ever to get fully vaccinated and get a booster shot to help prevent severe illness if you contract COVID-19. The Omicron variant is highly contagious, but we know what we have to do to protect ourselves and others. Our health care officials have provided us with the information and safety measures such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, limiting travel, and washing your hands often. We have to remain diligent and keep pushing back on this virus in order to prevent more outbreaks and to save more lives,” 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.

“It’s been nearly two years since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on the Navajo Nation. Since then, our health care officials have done an outstanding job informing our people and providing the guidance to help reduce the spread of the virus. Our daily choices and actions ultimately impact how this virus spreads. We must remain strong and keep praying for 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.