The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2022

242 new cases, 40,000 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19

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 242 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,593. The report indicates that 40,000 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 427,922 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 43,180, including 51 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,921
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 4,057
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4880
• Gallup Service Unit: 7,136
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,743
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,629
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,306
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,486

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

On Sunday, the state of Arizona reported 15,850 new cases. The states of Utah and New Mexico will report case numbers on Monday.

“The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the country and likely here on the Navajo Nation. There is only one confirmed case of the Omicron variant on the Navajo Nation, but our health officials continue to work with their partners to conduct sample sequencing to identify more possible cases. Our best defense against this variant are the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. We have to remain strong and keep pushing back on this modern-day monster and keep taking precautions such as wearing two masks in public, limiting travel, and staying home as much as possible. We are in this together,” 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.

“Thank you to all of the health care workers and first responders who continue to work around the clock to help our people and to save lives. We must continue to practice safety measures and do everything we can to help our health care workers. Please be safe 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 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.