Jonathan Nez serves as President of the Navajo Nation. Photo: Navajo Nation Office of President and Vice President

The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2022

Over four-day period, 309 new cases and two deaths related to COVID-19, 60 communities identified with uncontrolled spread

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the NavajoArea Indian Health Service, reported 309 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two deaths over the three-day holiday weekend and Tuesday combined. Below are case numbers including the past weekend through Tuesday: 

• June 18-19:                  240 new cases, 2 deaths
• June 20:                        25 new cases, 0 deaths
• June 21:                        44 new cases, 0 deaths 

The total number of deaths is 1,804. 544,264 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 56,245, including 92 delayed reported cases.

The Navajo Nation remains in “yellow status,” in accordance with Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-004 available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. Based on cases from June 3 – 16, 2022, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 60 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19:

“This past weekend, the CDC recommended the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to five years old. The FDA authorized the vaccines for this age category last week as well. If you have a child within this age range, our public health experts strongly recommend that your child receive the vaccine to help protect against severe illness caused by COVID-19. We are in this together and we all have a part to play in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our households and within our communities. Please continue to take precautions and to mask up in public places,” 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 hopeful that we will not see a big increase in new COVID-19 cases due to the Father’s Day holiday this past weekend. This pandemic continues to challenge many of our people, but through our faith and the strength we gain through the compassion of our loved ones, we remain strong. Please remember to pray each day and continue to be very cautious,” 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.