The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2022

35 new cases, 39,586 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 35 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,590. The report indicates that 39,586 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 418,619 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 41,779, including 87 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,515
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 3,959
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,821
• Gallup Service Unit: 6,798
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,571
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,431
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,200
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,462

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

On Tuesday, the state of Arizona reported 7,212 new cases, the state of Utah reported 4,661 new cases, and New Mexico reported 1,654.

“The Omicron variant was detected in the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation this week. As reported by many health officials, the Omicron variant is more contagious than the original strain of the virus and the Delta variant. If you go into public places with large numbers of people, health officials recommend wearing two masks due to the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant. We need everyone’s help to inform and protect our elders and those with underlying health conditions. At this point in the pandemic, we know what we have to do to protect ourselves and to push back on this virus and that includes getting fully vaccinated. Please be strong and continue to take precautions,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Health care facilities on 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.

“The Omicron variant is creating many challenges in hospital facilities in many parts of the country. We must remain diligent and keep taking precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Our health care system is already challenged at the moment, so we have to do everything we can to help our health care workers. Please be safe and keep praying for our people,” 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.