The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2022

20 new cases, 50,191 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 20 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,646. The report indicates that 50,191 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 492,776 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 52,218, including three delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 9,962
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 5,074
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 5,330
• Gallup Service Unit: 8,744
• Kayenta Service Unit: 4,929
• Shiprock Service Unit: 9,677
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,680
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,800

* 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 1,236 new cases, the state of Utah reported 614 new cases, and New Mexico reported 544 cases. The Navajo Nation’s face mask mandate remains in effect in all public places within the Navajo Nation, in accordance with Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-007. The mask mandate applies to all schools located within the Navajo Nation.

“As Navajo people, we have the strength and resilience of our ancestors within us to this day. Through the teachings of our elders, we continue to persevere through the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. We have to remain diligent and continue to encourage each other to remain strong. The recent Omicron surge demonstrated the importance of getting fully vaccinated. While we had a big surge in new infections, the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths did not surge and that was due to our high vaccination rate on the Navajo Nation. As of today, 75-percent of our people 12 years and older are vaccinated. Please continue to take precautions and keep praying for our people,” 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 very grateful for all of the men and women serving in hospital facilities across the Navajo Nation and on the frontlines in our communities. They make tremendous sacrifices every day to help our people and to save lives. Please keep them in your prayers and do your part to help them by taking precautions to keep yourself safe from COVID-19,” 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.