The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2022

525 new cases, 40,579 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19, health officials urge residents to stay home as much as possible during surge

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 525 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily count for the Navajo Nation during the pandemic, and no deaths. The total number of deaths is 1,600, including one delayed reported death. The report indicates that 40,579 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 442,336 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 44,997, including 98 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 8,371
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 4,188
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,966
• Gallup Service Unit: 7,520
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,950
• Shiprock Service Unit: 8,033
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,409
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,538

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

On Friday, the state of Arizona reported 20,257 new cases, the state of Utah reported 11,128 new cases, and New Mexico reported 5,212. The NavajoNation Office of the President and Vice President held a special online town hall on Friday to provide important updates regarding the rise in COVID-19 cases on the Navajo Nation. The town hall is available to view online at: https://youtu.be/tWwM6Pa1CQw. 

“Stay home, stay safe, and save lives. Our health care officials are urging all Navajo Nation residents to remain home as much as possible and limit travel while this current Omicron surge continues here on the Navajo Nation and regions and states around us. While the number of cases is high, the data shows that the Omicron variant is not leading to a surge in hospitalizations and deaths. One death is too many, but the number of deaths has remained low during this current surge because the COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing severe symptoms and saving lives. Schools on the Navajo Nation are able to return to hybrid or virtual learning and that’s a decision that is determined at the local level based on the severity of cases in their respective community. This surge in Omicron cases will eventually decline, but we all must take precautions, wear two masks in public, get vaccinated, get a booster shot, limit travel, remain home as much as possible, and keep your guard up at all times,” 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.

“This surge is happening across the entire country. We just have to remain diligent, listen to our health experts, take precautions, and continue to pray for our people. We are in this together and we are doing everything we can to mitigate the pandemic, but we need everyone to do their part by protecting themselves and others from the virus,” 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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