The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2021

2 new cases, 29,361 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19, new health order expands options for flea markets and roadside markets

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 two new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,297 as previously reported. Reports indicate that 29,361 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 271,870 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,753.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,590
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,954
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,660
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,882
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,725
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,201
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,736
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,986

* 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 571 new cases, Utah reported 300, and New Mexico reported 175 cases. The NavajoDepartment of Health issued Public Health Emergency Order No. 2021-011 continuing the “Yellow Status” provisions for businesses and allowing flea markets and roadside markets to operate beginning on Monday, May 24, 2021 under the following guidelines:

1. Temporary food stands are permitted to operate under the same provisions as temporary food service establishment under the Navajo Nation Food Service Sanitation Code/Regulations. 
2. Permit and food handler’s card are required to be displayed during operation. 
3. If expired, any vendor must renew permit and food handler’s card prior to operation. 
4. Management entities overseeing or managing the site where vending is occurring, shall be responsible for ensuring that these guidelines are followed. Management Entity: The owner of the permanent property where temporary vendors are conducting business. Includes individuals, businesses, and local governance units. 

Public Health Emergency Order No. 2021-011 is available on the Navajo Department of Health’s website at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.

“We are all in this fight against COVID-19 together and we all have to be part of the solution. For several weeks, we’ve had consistent low numbers of new infections, but we have to keep taking precautions and get our numbers even lower. The vaccines are playing a critical role in reducing the impacts of COVID-19, but the risks remain in our communities. We also have variants that create more risks for our people. This weekend, health care facilities will once again be offering the COVID-19 vaccines for those who are 12 years and older. Please continue to wear masks in public, wash your hands often, practice social distancing, avoid large in-person gatherings, and limit travel as much as possible,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The following vaccination sites will offer COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday, March 22, 2021 for individuals who are 12 years and older – those who are 12-17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Chinle Wellness Center – Chinle, AZ                   9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
• UNM Gallup Campus – Gallup, NM                     9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• Upper Fruitland Chapter, Upper Fruitland, NM   8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 
• Tséhootsooí Medical Center – Ft. Defiance, AZ   10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
• Tuba City High School Pavilion, Tuba City, AZ      9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

“If you haven’t already been vaccinated, there are plenty of opportunities this weekend. Please consider getting the COVID-19 vaccines to help push back on the virus and to protect yourselves and others. Also, please continue to take precautions to keep yourselves safe and healthy as we continue to overcome this pandemic day by day. Be safe and continue to pray,” 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.