The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2022

79 new cases, 40,132 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19, 61 communities identified with uncontrolled spread

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – On Monday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 79 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths. The total number of deaths remains 1,593. The report indicates that 40,132 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 431,641 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 43,277, including 18 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 7,938
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 4,070
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,881
• Gallup Service Unit: 7,160
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,765
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,647
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,308
• 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 Monday, the state of Arizona reported 13,937 new cases. The state of Utah reported 24,174 new cases and New Mexico reported 9,284, which also includes cases from the weekend. Based on cases from Dec. 24, 2021 to Jan. 6, 2022, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 61 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19:

“This week, we see an increase in the number of communities identified with uncontrolled spread from 42 communities last week to 61 communities this week. Everyone must use extreme caution in public places and health officials now recommend wearing two masks in public due to the high level of transmissibility of the Omicron variant. Our health care officials are working with their partners and they have identified more Omicron variant cases in several regions of the Navajo Nation. It’s safe to say that the Omicron variant is widespread on the Navajo Nation and across the country, but the data indicates that symptoms are often less severe among those who are fully vaccinated and those who their booster shot. We must be very careful, stay home as much as possible, and limit travel as long as the Omicron variant continues to spread,” 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.

“Be very careful in public places and please help to inform your elders about the Omicron variant and the measures they should take to protect themselves. We have to step up our efforts to protect ourselves and others during this surge. Please be safe, continue to pray, and keep supporting one another during this challenging time,” 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.