The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2021

17 new cases, 29,759 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 as the CDC reports that the Delta variant accounts for 80% of new cases

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 17 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,366. The report indicates that 29,759 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 287,088 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 31,218.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,668
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,991
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,701
• Gallup Service Unit: 4,951
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,769
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,314
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,807
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,998

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

On Tuesday, the state of Arizona reported 1,154 new cases, Utah reported 559 new cases, and New Mexico reported 137 new cases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Tuesday that approximately 83-percent of new COVID-19 infections are due to the Delta variant across the United States. 

“The surge in new cases in almost all states across the country is very concerning for the Navajo Nation. We’ve done so much to bring our numbers down and now with the growing number of Delta variant cases, it’s more important than ever to get fully vaccinated. Reports also indicate that the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are those individuals who are not vaccinated for COVID-19. We have a large majority of residents here on the Navajo Nation who are fully vaccinated, but we still have a percentage who are not. Our most effective weapons against the virus are the vaccines and our masks. Please continue to wear masks in public and please be very cautious in public,” 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 Delta variant is spreading in our country, but the good news is that we know how to minimize the impacts. Wear a mask and get vaccinated. Our health care experts have given us the guidance and the tools to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Now, it’s our personal responsibility to take precautions and protect ourselves as best as we can. Please be safe and keep praying for our first responders and our all of 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.