The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2021

36 new cases, 38,972 recoveries, and two 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 36 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,578. The report indicates that 38,972 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 409,885 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 40,901, including nine delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,267
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,900
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,732
• Gallup Service Unit: 6,710
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,493
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,320
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,040
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,417

* 22 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 2,806 new cases, Utah reported 1,406 new cases, and New Mexico reported 914.

“Over 85-percent of the population 65 years and older is fully vaccinated on the Navajo Nation, while the rest of the eligible population is at 72-percent. Our elders are once again setting a great example and leading the way for the rest of us. If you haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, please do so as soon as possible. The vaccines are proven to lessen the severity of symptoms and to save lives. The Omicron variant is now the dominant variant across the country and health experts state that it is more contagious than the Delta variant. We have to remain strong, get more of our people fully vaccinated, and keep pushing back on COVID-19 together,” 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 want all of our people to enjoy Christmas with your loved ones, but we also want you to be safe and healthy. Our health care system cannot afford another large surge in new cases and hospitalizations. Our people did a great job keeping our numbers of infections low during the Thanksgiving Day holiday, and we can do it again. Please be safe and keep praying for our Nation,” 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.