The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2021

202 new cases, 13,116 recoveries, and 13 more deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 202 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and 13 more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 892 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that 13,116 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 219,688 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 25,952.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 4,804
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,612
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,681
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,156
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,420
• Shiprock Service Unit: 4,555
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,021
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,652

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

On Thursday, the state of Arizona reported 7,311 new cases, Utah reported 2,742, and New Mexico reported 1,434 new cases. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez visited Tséhootsooí Medical Center, Kayenta Health Center, and Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility on Thursday, as health care workers continue to administer COVID-19 vaccinations this week for elderly. He thanked all of the health care workers for their commitment to help the Navajo people and many others throughout the pandemic.

“Our health care workers are moving quickly to administer the vaccines to our elders this week, and we are very grateful to all of them for coordinating these efforts. Through their hard work, over 77-percent of the vaccines that our Nation received so far, has been administered to our frontline health care workers, first responders, elderly, and high-risk individuals. I also want to recognize and thank our Community Health Representatives who are going out to homes to provide the vaccine to elders and those with health conditions. We are advocating at the highest levels of government to secure more vaccines for our people. It’s important to remember that you have to continue staying home, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding gatherings, and washing your hands even after you receive the first and second doses of the vaccine. Let’s keep fighting this virus together and keep praying for our people,” said President Nez.

If you are elderly and would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, you are encouraged to contact your health care provider within the appropriate Service Unit, to schedule an appointment or to learn more about upcoming vaccination events. Please remember that vaccine resources are limited due to high demand across the country.

“We are in this fight against COVID-19 and we cannot let our guard down. Please remain diligent and continue to stay home as much as possible as more of our people get vaccinated. We cannot thank our health care workers enough for everything they are doing. Please keep praying for our people,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

COVID-19 testing schedules are available online at the Navajo Health Command Operations Center website: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Testing.  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: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.