The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2021

10 new cases and two more deaths related to COVID-19 as Navajo Area IHS reports 196,902 vaccine doses have been administered so far

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 10 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,235 as of Wednesday. Reports indicate that 16,334 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 252,226 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,021, including one delayed reported case.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,519
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,869
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,577
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,749
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,650
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,031
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,642
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,966

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

On Wednesday, the state of Arizona reported 605 new cases, Utah reported 562, and New Mexico reported 218 new cases. On March 23, Navajo Area Indian Health Service reported that 238,085 total vaccine doses have been received, 196,902 administered, which represents nearly 83-percent. 80,755 individuals have been fully vaccinated.  

“Do not be discouraged by the slight increase in new cases over the last two days. Instead, it should serve to motivate us to do better and to keep pushing back on this virus. COVID-19 is still in our communities and we can expect the number of new daily infections to fluctuate, but we cannot let another large surge occur. Let’s remain focused and keep taking all precautions to limit possible exposures and risks. As long as the COVID-19 variants continue to spread in other parts of the country and areas that surround the Navajo Nation, we will likely see additional cases each day, but we have to do our best to minimize the numbers of new infections. Again, our health experts continue to urge everyone to limit their travel to essential activities only. Now is not the time to take a vacation or to hold large in-person gatherings. Stay home as much as possible, wear one or two masks, avoid large crowds and gatherings, 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. 

The Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on Thursday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. (MDT) on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel to provide more COVID-19 updates.

“The numbers of new COVID-19 cases will fluctuate each day and that’s just the nature of this virus. We have to pray every day and keep our mental and spiritual health strong, so that we can continue to be vigilant and to support one another. Our health care workers continue to make great sacrifices to help our people and to save lives, so please, let’s continue to do everything we can to help them by keeping ourselves safe and healthy,” 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.