The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2021

13 new cases, 16,475 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19, California variant identified in Shiprock Service Unit

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 13 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,262 as previously reported. Reports indicate that 16,475 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 260,263 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,355, including four delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,549
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,926
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,612
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,812
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,692
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,093
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,678
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,974

* 19 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 845 new cases, Utah reported 463, and New Mexico reported 264. The Navajo Nation was informed that a third confirmed case of the B.1.429, California variant, has been identified in the Shiprock Service Unit. The California variant was previously identified in the Chinle Service Unit and Gallup Service Unit. 

“With the recent report of the California variant in the Shiprock Service Unit, we now have three cases in various regions of the Navajo Nation. We also have one confirmed case of the U.K. variant that was identified in the western part of the Nation. We have to exercise caution and take all precautions. Recently, we had a cluster of COVID-19 cases that resulted from a large family gathering in which face masks were not used. We have to do better and not let our guard down. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, avoid large 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. 

“Please keep your guard up and keep wearing your masks. We know families want to gather in person, but we have to take the advice of our health care experts. We are overcoming the pandemic one day at a time, but it takes all of us working together to do it. Please be safe and keep praying for our people and health care workers,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

For more information, including helpful prevention tips, and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the NavajoDepartment 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.