The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2021

48 new cases, 15,989 recoveries, and four more deaths related to COVID-19 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Saturday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 48 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and four more deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,142 as of Saturday. Reports indicate that 15,989 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 242,063 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 29,509.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,435
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,845
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,477
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,663
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,628
• Shiprock Service Unit: 4,989
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,574
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,880

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

On Saturday, the state of Arizona reported 2,047 new cases, Utah reported 778, and New Mexico reported 427 new cases. The Navajo Nation’s curfew remains in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (MST) seven days a week.

“We cannot become complacent again and let another surge in new cases of COVID-19 happen. We saw that happen during Labor Day weekend last year and the numbers cases escalated following that particular three-day weekend. Everyone has a part in this huge effort to bring down the numbers of new cases each day. Now is not the time to travel or to have in-person family gatherings. The COVID-19 variants are more contagious than the original virus, so we have to keep our guard up and keep taking all precautions. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask or two in public, avoid gatherings and crowds, 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.

“We have to keep fighting and we can’t back down now. The vaccines are helping, but we all have to continue taking precautions to reduce the spread of the virus. Our health care workers are fighting for us around the clock so let’s help them by staying home as much as possible and continue to pray for our people,” 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.