The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2021

28 new cases, 38,803 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19 reported

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 28 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,576. The report indicates that 38,803 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 406,860 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 40,800, including seven delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,246
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,890
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,722
• Gallup Service Unit: 6,685
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,488
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,299
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,037
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,411

* 22 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 2,745 new cases. The states of Utah and New Mexico will report weekend case numbers on Monday. On Sunday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez visited a COVID-19 vaccination site at Shiprock High School, in Shiprock, N.M. to offer his support for health care workers and those receiving the vaccine.

“COVID-19 cases are increasing in many parts of the country due to the Omicron variant. Reported data indicates that the majority of new infections and hospitalizations continues to be among the unvaccinated population. Our best defense, especially during the holidays, is to get fully vaccinated and a booster shot. We are in this together and we have to do everything we can to protect ourselves and others,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Health care facilities across 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.

“Keep taking precautions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the strain on our health care system. Our hospitals cannot afford another large surge in cases, so please be cautious and let’s bring down the number of cases. Please pray and support one another as we move forward together,” 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.