The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2021

20 new cases, 29,265 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19, health care facilities will begin offering vaccines for adolescents this week 

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 20 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,285 as previously reported. Reports indicate that 29,265 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 269,146 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,662. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,587
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,943
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,652
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,864
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,721
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,166
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,731
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,979

* 19 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 469 new cases, Utah reported 470, and New Mexico reported 196 cases. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the use of the Pfizer vaccine for the 12- to 15-year-old adolescent population on Wednesday, which was also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday. Several health care facilities on the Navajo Nation will begin offering the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents as early as Thursday, while others will begin on Friday and Saturday. More information about the vaccine rollout for adolescents will be provided during an online town hall on Thursday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. (MDT) on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel to provide more COVID-19 updates.

“We are working with all of the health care facilities on the Navajo Nation to rollout the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-old adolescents as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our goal is to administer the first dose to at least 5,000 adolescents in the 12-to-15-year age group by this weekend. If parents and other adults have not received the vaccine, we encourage you to receive the vaccine with your children if they meet the age requirement. We are in this fight together and getting vaccinated is a key part of overcoming this virus. Please continue to wear masks, get vaccinated, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, and avoid large in-person gatherings,” 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. 

“With health care facilities beginning the process of administering the Pfizer vaccine to our younger population, it moves us closer to our ultimate goal of community immunity. Vaccinations are helping us to emerge from this pandemic along with our prayers. Please be safe and keep making good decisions that protect 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.