The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2021

49 new cases, 30,062 recoveries, and two more deaths related to COVID-19, Navajo Nation to return to “Orange Status” restrictions 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 49 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,386. The report indicates that 30,062 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 297,027 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 31,715.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,772
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,045
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,751
• Gallup Service Unit: 5,041
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,819
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,387
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,857
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,024

* 19 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 1,970 new cases. Utah reported 1,114 cases, and New Mexico reported 713 new cases. The Navajo Department of Health will issue a new public health emergency order this week to transition the Navajo Nation back to “Orange Status” due to the recent increase in COVID-19 infections. Details of the new order are being finalized. 

“Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, our public health experts have recommended returning to ‘Orange Status’ in the coming days. The details are being worked out, including capacity levels for businesses. Based on contact tracing, it does not appear that new infections are occurring in businesses, but rather through in-person social and family gatherings where masks and other safety protocols are not followed. We are seeing cluster cases in a few communities that contributed to the high number of new COVID-19 cases reported today. If you attend a social or family gathering, please wear a mask and take precautions to keep yourself safe and healthy. Contact tracers are finding that many of the new cases are due to in-person family gatherings where people let their guard down. We have to do better and we have to remain diligent. Please wear masks in public and please get fully vaccinated as soon as possible,” 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. 

“The numbers of cases have risen, but we cannot let it get us down. We have to remain strong and focused on following the CDC guidelines and taking precautions each and every day. Please wear masks when you visit friends and family in other households and please keep those visits to a minimum for the time being. We are in this together and we have to continue to support one another. Please be safe and keep praying,” 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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