The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2021

46 new cases, 38,623 recoveries, and three more deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 46 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,573. The report indicates that 38,623 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 406,860 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 40,715, including 10 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,215
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,881
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,715
• Gallup Service Unit: 6,681
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,482
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,285
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,031
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,403

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

On Friday, the state of Arizona reported 3,686 new cases, Utah reported 1,017 new cases, and New Mexico reported 1,180 cases. 

“As of today, the Omicron variant has not been found in swab samples here on the Navajo Nation, but health officials continue to monitor carefully. Our public health experts continue to put forth their best mitigation efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they need help from our Navajo people. The best defense against the Delta variant and the Omicron variant is to get fully vaccinated and a booster shot. If you go into public places, please be very careful and mindful of the health and safety of others,” 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.

“Our health care workers continue to fight for us all, so let’s fight for them by taking precautions and doing everything we can to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. Frontline workers continue to put themselves at risk to treat people and save lives this holiday season. Please be safe, pray for our health care workers, and be careful in public,” 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.