The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2021

2 new cases, 16,286 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID-19 as President Nez urges Navajo Nation residents to keep taking precautions

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the NavajoArea Indian Health Service, reported two new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths is now 1,219 as of Tuesday. Reports indicate that 16,286 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 249,762 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 29,957, including one delayed reported case.  

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,512
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,867
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,568
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,732
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,645
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,022
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,634
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,959

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

On Tuesday, the state of Arizona reported 497 new cases, Utah reported 481, and New Mexico reported 186 new cases.  The Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on Wednesday, March 17, which marks one year since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported, beginning at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) to provide COVID-19 updates on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel. 

“Wednesday will mark one year since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. We will have a virtual day of prayer event on Friday morning, to honor and remember all of our loved ones we have lost to the virus. As we continue in this COVID-19 pandemic, the best way to honor those who have passed on is to keep fighting hard by continue to protect ourselves and others by adhering to the basic safety protocols – stay home as much possible, wear one or two masks, avoid large gatherings and crowds, practice social distancing, and wash your hands with soap and warm water often. We are making good progress right now, but based on what we have learned about COVID-19 over the last year we know how quickly another surge can happen. So, please continue to take all precautions and do not become complacent. There are variants that continue to spread in regions of the country and the CDC recently warned that the U.K. variant could become the dominant variant by the end of March of early April, but we have the ability to minimize its impact based on our daily actions,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Monday, March 15, the Navajo Nation transitioned from “red status” to “orange status” in accordance with gating measures and indicators that took into account several factors including the declining number of COVID-19 cases, testing availability, hospital capacity and bed usage, and contact tracing. The Navajo Nation’s daily curfew remains in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (MDT) seven days a week. The latest public health emergency orders are available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.

“Our best defense against COVID-19 are the safety measures that have been recommended since the start of the pandemic by public health experts combined with the vaccines. Here on the Navajo Nation, the vaccine is widely available at many health care center locations and more are being offered at chapter houses as well. Please continue to take precautions, be safe, and keep praying 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.