The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2021

67 new cases and one more death related to COVID-19 reported

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 67 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths is now 1,387.

On Friday, the state of Arizona reported 3,225 new cases, Utah reported 897 cases, and New Mexico reported 798.

“Mask up and get fully vaccinated. If you do those two things, you have a great chance of staying safe and healthy during this pandemic. We’re seeing higher numbers of infections because the Delta variant is more transmissible and because some are not wearing masks when they travel off the Navajo Nation and during in-person social and family gatherings. I understand that there is great concern for students who are returning to school. In one of this week’s public health orders, our public health experts advised that schools offer hybrid learning and virtual learning for those who are 12 years and younger. We encourage parents to be proactive in voicing their concerns to the school boards as well. We can issue orders from the central government, but it’s ultimately in the hands of school boards to implement those measures to help keep students safe. We all have a part to play in this pandemic, so please be very cautious and wear a mask at all times in public,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Navajo Department of Health issued three new Public Health Emergency Orders this week, declaring “Orange Status” for businesses, schools, and revising in-person gathering limits for certain events in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases on the Navajo Nation. The new public health emergency orders will go into effect on Monday, August 16, 2021. The Navajo Nation’s mask mandate remains in effect. The public health emergency orders are available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.

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. 

“We’ve been in this pandemic for over one year and our public health experts have gone above and beyond to provide us with the information, the data, and the guidance to keep ourselves as safe as possible. It’s our personal responsibility to adhere to their words and continue to wear masks and get vaccinated. Our health care workers continue to put themselves at risk to help others and to save lives, so please do everything you can to help them. Please be safe and continue to pray for our Nation,” 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.