The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2022

11 new cases, 50,800 recoveries, and no recent death related to COVID-19, new Public Health Emergency Order issued 

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 11 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent death. The total number of deaths is 1,655. The report indicates that 50,800 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 499,982 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 52,685.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 10,073
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 5,129
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 5,356
• Gallup Service Unit: 8,846
• Kayenta Service Unit: 4,994
• Shiprock Service Unit: 9,765
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,694
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,806

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

On Thursday, the state of New Mexico reported 384 new cases and Utah reported 186 new cases. The state of Arizona now reports COVID-19 cases on a weekly basis, each Wednesday. 

The Department of Health also issued a public health emergency order on Thursday, which is posted online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-03 declares “Orange Status” for schools due to the decrease of COVID-19 cases. Schools must implement the required core prevention strategies and conditional prevention strategies noted in the Navajo Nation COVID-19 Safe Schools Framework, such as parent options for hybrid or virtual learning, use of masks, physical distancing, hygiene, cleaning and ventilation, diagnostic testing, contact tracing, required reporting, and COVID-19 vaccinations. 

“Every day, we should be reminding ourselves and our loved ones to continue taking all precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19. Spring break is here for many of our students, and it is important to stay safe. Many of our student athletes and their families are also competing in the basketball state finals in New Mexico, so we strongly urge them to take extra precautions as they cheer on their loved ones. We are in this together, and we must continue to support one another,” 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.

“Now that our schools are transitioning from ‘red status’ to ‘orange status,’ we have to participate to contribute to the downward trend in new cases of COVID-19. Please be very cautious, and do not travel, go to work, or attend school if you are sick, tested positive for COVID-19, haven’t ended isolation or quarantine, or are waiting for test results,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

For more information, including helpful prevention tips, and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the NavajoDepartment of Health’s COVID-19 website: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.  COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.