The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2022

245 new cases, 40,227 recoveries, and four deaths related to COVID-19, new isolation and quarantine guidelines

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 245 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and four deaths. The total number of deaths is 1,598. The report indicates that 40,227 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 435,811 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 43,821, including 35 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 8,071
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 4,099
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 4,928
• Gallup Service Unit: 7,268
• Kayenta Service Unit: 3,809
• Shiprock Service Unit: 7,742
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,369
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,513

* 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 18,783 new cases, the state of Utah reported 10,220 new cases, and New Mexico reported 6,919.  The Department of Health also issued a health advisory notice regarding the Navajo Nation’s COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidelines on Tuesday, which is posted online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/Isolation-and-Quarantine.

The health advisory notice advises individuals who are COVID-19 positive to stay at home for ten days since symptoms began. Isolation can be shortened to five days only if a COVID-19 test on the fifth day is negative and with no symptoms. Quarantine is not required for exposed individuals who are fully vaccinated, boosted, and have no symptoms. Stay at home for ten days if you are exposed and unvaccinated. Quarantine may be shortened for unvaccinated individuals to five days only if a COVID-19 test is negative on the fifth day with no symptoms.

“The Omicron variant is within our communities on the Navajo Nation, and we all need to be extra cautious. It’s been nearly two years since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the Navajo Nation. Our health care officials have gone above and beyond to provide guidance and recommendations to prepare and protect ourselves from the virus. The COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, and the data shows that most people who are being hospitalized are unvaccinated. Please be very cautious, wear two masks in public, and get vaccinated and a booster shot,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Health care facilities in 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.

“As the Omicron variant continues to spread, we strongly urge our people to practice the safety measures put forth by our health experts. We are in this together, and we must remain strong for another. Please be safe and continue to pray for our people and our frontline workers,” 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.