The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2021

74 new cases, 33,579 recoveries, and no new deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 74 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains at 1,471. The report indicates that 33,579 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 353,876 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 35,660, including three delayed reported cases. 

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 6,372
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,495
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,204
• Gallup Service Unit: 5,757
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,067
• Shiprock Service Unit: 6,148
• Tuba City Service Unit: 4,409
• 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 Thursday, the state of Arizona reported 2,495 new cases, Utah reported 2,340 cases and New Mexico reported 1,132 new cases.

“Not wearing a mask and family gatherings are still major concerns and a factor in the number of new cases of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. With the holidays approaching and the winter season coming, the leaders and public health experts are very concerned about how that might affect the spread of the virus. We are now in the flu season, and it is important to practice preventative measures to avoid any exposure. So, we have to be disciplined to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy. 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. If you would like to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact your health care provider and schedule an appointment.

“We can’t give up, and we have to keep fighting — that’s the only way we will overcome COVID-19. We have the power and the ability to rid this virus from our communities. Still, it will take a tremendous cooperative effort by all of us as citizens of the Navajo Nation. Please remain optimistic and remember to pray for our Nation and all of our 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.