The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2021

15 new cases, 29,225 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID-19 as leaders urge families to celebrate Mother’s Day safely

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 15 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths is now 1,283 as of Friday. Reports indicate that 29,225 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 267,483 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,578. There were two duplicated cases previously reported, which were reconciled in Friday’s total count of positive cases. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,583
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,940
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,635
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,848
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,716
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,144
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,719
• 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 820 new cases, Utah reported 386, and New Mexico reported 285 cases. The Navajo Area Indian Health Service reported that 247,165 total vaccine doses have been received, 225,819 administered, which represents over 91-percent. 100,101 individuals have been fully vaccinated. 

“As we celebrate and give thanks on Mother’s Day, please do your very best to enjoy the occasion as safely as possible. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Mother’s Day. Community immunity is our goal here on the Navajo Nation. The more people who are fully vaccinated, the lesser risk of severe cases of COVID-19 and deaths. Please remember that you can still contract COVID-19 even after you are fully vaccinated, but the vaccines are effective in reducing the symptoms. We have to stay the course and keep pushing back on the virus. Here on the Navajo Nation, we have over 100,000 people fully vaccinated, but we have to continue doing more to increase the overall vaccination percentage. We urge everyone to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, avoid large in-person gatherings, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. 

On Saturday, May 8, the following health care facilities will offer COVID-19 vaccines:

• Pinon Health Center – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (MDT)

1^st and 2^nd doses for individuals 16 years and older

**individuals who are 16 or 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

• Tséhootsooí Medical Center – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (MDT)

1^st and 2^nd doses for individuals 16 years and older

**individuals who are 16 or 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

“We owe our appreciation to the health care workers on the Navajo Nation for vaccinating over 100,000 people up to this point. Please be safe and continue to protect yourselves and your loved ones against COVID-19 and the variants. We are overcoming the pandemic one day at a time, but we have to stay strong and keep praying. Happy Mother’s Day!” 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.