The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2022

220 new cases, 39,892 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Saturday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 220 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,593. The report indicates that 39,892 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 427,922 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 42,887, including 45 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,836
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 4,037
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,873
• Gallup Service Unit: 7,065
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,693
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,569
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,306
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,486

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

On Saturday, the state of Arizona reported 16,504 new cases. The states of Utah and New Mexico will report case numbers on Monday.

“The safest place to be is at home here on the Navajo Nation. Cases of the Omicron variant are much higher in border towns and cities located off the Navajo Nation. The Omicron variant is much more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. The good news is that the COVID-19 vaccines are highly-effective in pushing back on the symptoms and reducing the chances of being hospitalized if you do get the virus. The data shows that the vaccines save lives. Please take precautions, wear two masks in public, and get vaccinated and a booster shot if you’re eligible for one,” 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.

“Our faith and the safety measures that we take each day will make the difference. Yes, Omicron is spreading across the country but our health officials have given us the guidance and safety measures to help reduce the risks. Please be safe, thank our health care workers, and continue to pray for our people and communities,” 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.