The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2022

19 new cases, 51,007 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19 reported

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 19 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,657. The report indicates that 51,007 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 501,765 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 52,754, including three delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 10,099
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 5,136
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 5,360
• Gallup Service Unit: 8,856
• Kayenta Service Unit: 5,001
• Shiprock Service Unit: 9,779
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,695
• 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 Wednesday, the state of New Mexico reported 197 new cases and Utah reported 183 new cases. The state of Arizona reported 5,153 cases over the weeklong period ending March 12.  

On Thursday at 7:00 a.m. (MDT), Navajo Nation leaders will host a Navajo Nation Day of Prayer service to honor and remember all of the lives lost to COVID-19 since the first case was confirmed on the Navajo Nation two years ago. The service will be live-streamed on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page for the public to view. 

“Thursday will mark two years since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on the Navajo Nation. Since then, we have learned much about the virus and how to protect ourselves and others from it. We have many stories of people overcoming the virus, which has led to over 51,000 recoveries to date. Our public health experts have gone above and beyond to provide us with the guidance we need to reduce the spread of this modern-day monster, but it ultimately comes down to our individual choices that we make on a daily basis. Please be very cautious and continue to pray for our frontline warriors and all of the families who have lost loved ones since the start of the pandemic. We are stronger 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.

“Through our prayers and love for one another, we will emerge from this pandemic stronger than before. Together, we continue to face the challenges brought forth from this pandemic, but we continue to support one another and push forward. Keep praying for our frontline warriors and those who are fighting the virus at this time,” 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.