The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2022

18 new cases, 46,290 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19, 85 communities identified with uncontrolled spread

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 18 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,616. The report indicates that 46,290 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 474,335 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 49,766, including nine delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 9,425
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 4,809
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 5,197
• Gallup Service Unit: 8,287
• Kayenta Service Unit: 4,652
• Shiprock Service Unit: 9,082
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,559
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,733

* 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 12,259 new cases. The state of Utah reported 10,272 cases and New Mexico reported 9,445 cases, which also includes weekend case numbers. Based on cases from Jan. 14 to Jan. 27, 2022, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 85 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19:

“There is an Omicron subvariant that is now circulating in the United States. Scientists state that the subvariant is more contagious, but does not appear to be more severe than the first Omicron variant. Our best defense against all variants is to get fully vaccinated, which includes a booster shot. With CARES Act Hardship checks being mailed out to our elders, please take the time to talk with your parents and grandparents and encourage them not to crowd post offices, banks, and border towns. Please caution them about the current surge and the Omicron variant and encourage them to wear two masks in public, practice social distancing, and to wash their hands often. 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.

“We are overcoming this pandemic one day at a time, but we have to remain strong and diligent to reduce the spread of the virus in our communities. Thanks to the guidance of our health care workers and scientists, we know how to push back on COVID-19. Please be safe, keep praying, and continue to support one another,” 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.