The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2021

24 new cases, 30,539 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19, 36 communities identified with uncontrolled spread

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Monday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 24 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,397. The report indicates that 30,539 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 307,375 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 32,276. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 5,884
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,102
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,846
• Gallup Service Unit: 5,131
• Kayenta Service Unit: 2,867
• Shiprock Service Unit: 5,459
• Tuba City Service Unit: 3,912
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,056

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

On Monday, the state of Arizona reported 2,632 new cases, Utah reported 2,718 new cases, and New Mexico reported 2,201 new cases. On Monday, the U.S. Federal and Drug Administration granted full approval for the Pfizer/BioTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 years and older. This vaccine had only been approved for emergency use previously. 

Based on cases from Aug. 6 to Aug. 19, 2021, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 36 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19: 

“The Pfizer vaccine is proven to be safe and high-effective against COVID-19. With today’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, we hope that it will lead to more of our Navajo people receiving the vaccine and hopefully we see additional vaccines receiving full approval from the FDA soon. We have to remember that the vaccines do not guarantee that you will not become infected with COVID-19, but they are intended to prevent severe symptoms and reduce the risk of death if you do contract the virus. So, it’s very important that everyone continue to wear masks and take precautions whether or not you are fully vaccinated. Please be safe and continue to pray for our people,” 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. 

“Mask up and take precautions to keep yourselves and others safe and healthy during this pandemic. We are in this together and we need everyone’s support to move us out of this public health emergency. Our health care professionals have provided the guidance and resources to keep ourselves safe, so please make the right decisions for yourself and your loved ones. Be safe and keep praying for our frontline workers and all of our people,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

The Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 24^th at 10:00 a.m. (MDT) on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel to provide more COVID-19 updates.

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.