The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2021

7 new cases, 16,477 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported seven new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,262 as previously reported. Reports indicate that 16,477 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 260,502 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,366, including two delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,551
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,930
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,612
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,814
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,693
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,093
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,680
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,974

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

On Sunday, the state of Arizona reported 711 new cases, Utah reported 248, and New Mexico will report its weekend numbers on Monday.  

“COVID-19 variants are the primary concern on the Navajo Nation right now due to the greater level of transmission from person to person. When more people travel and hold large in-person gatherings, it makes it much more difficult for contact tracers to do their job when a new infection occurs. Recently, there was a large family in-person gathering in which no masks were worn and it led to dozens of new COVID-19 cases over several days. We have to do better and keep taking all precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the variants. Please stay home as much as possible, avoid large in-person gatherings, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. 

Health care facilities across the Navajo Nation continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines during drive-thru events or by appointment. If you would like to receive the vaccine, please contact your health care provider for more information for your Service Unit. 

“COVID-19 is something that we’re going to be dealing with for a while and the more precautions we take now the fewer cases we will have. Please continue to take all precautions as our health care workers continue fighting for us each day and vaccinating more of our people. Keep praying for our people and our communities,” 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. 

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