The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2021

80 new cases, 30,342 recoveries, and two more deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 80 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,394. The report indicates that 30,342 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 304,686 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 32,148. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,863
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,085
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,841
• Gallup Service Unit: 5,105
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,858
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,433
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,899
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,045

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

On Thursday, the state of Arizona reported 3,546 new cases, Utah reported 1,280 cases, and New Mexico reported 968 new cases. 

“The number of COVID-19 infections are increasing, especially in states and regions where vaccination rates are low. Here on the Navajo Nation approximately 70-percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, but we still have to get more people vaccinated to protect our communities. Until we see a consistent reduction in new cases, our public health experts are urging all residents to minimize in-person social and family gatherings. It’s critical that we continue to wear masks in public, even when you travel to areas off the Navajo Nation where the Delta variant is more prevalent,” 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. 

“Remain diligent and keep praying. We know the pandemic is taking a toll of the mental health of many of our people, including our frontline workers. We have to continue supporting one another and share uplifting words of encouragement. We are in this fight against COVID-19 together,” 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.