The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2021

78 new cases, 33,550 recoveries, and seven more deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 78 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and seven more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,471. The report indicates that 33,550 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 353,342 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 35,583, including 15 delayed reported cases. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 6,363
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,482
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,192
• Gallup Service Unit: 5,745
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,062
• Shiprock Service Unit: 6,130
• Tuba City Service Unit: 4,401
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,189

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

On Wednesday, the state of Arizona reported 1,991 new cases, Utah reported 1,410 cases and New Mexico reported 630 new cases.

“Keep listening to the advice of our public health experts and continue to take precautions, especially in public. We know how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and it depends on our personal choices and actions. Be safe and continue to pray for our people, including those who are suffering and fighting the virus at this moment,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Health care facilities across the Navajo Nation continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines. If you would like to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact your health care provider and schedule an appointment.

“Thank you to all of the frontline workers who are fighting for our people each and every day. They and their families make sacrifices for us and we are truly thankful. Please take safety measures and continue to pray for our communities and all first responders,” said Vice President Myron Lizer. 

The Navajo Department of Health issued Public Health Emergency Order No. 2021-020, which allows holiday gatherings of 15 or fewer people, consistent with Navajo Health Command Operations Center’s guidelines. The new order also allows movie theaters to operate at 50-percent occupancy. The order is available online: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.

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.