The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2022

37 new cases, 51,800 recoveries, and no deaths related to COVID-19 over three-day period, 5 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 37 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no deaths over the weekend and Monday. Below are case numbers including the past weekend and Monday: 

• May 14-15:                 32 new cases, 0 deaths
• May 16:                        5 new cases, 0 deaths

The total number of deaths remains 1,770. The report indicates that 51,800 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 526,340 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 53,721, including 11 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 10,350
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 5,185
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 5,474
• Gallup Service Unit: 8,969
• Kayenta Service Unit: 5,102
• Shiprock Service Unit: 9,926
• Tuba City Service Unit: 5,857
• Winslow Service Unit: 2,836

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

The Navajo Nation remains in “yellow status,” in accordance with Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-004 available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. Based on cases from April 29 to May 12, 2022, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following five communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19:

“As we move forward through this pandemic, we have to draw from the love and support of our family members, elders, and our frontline warriors to remain strong. The strength and resilience of our ancestors remains within our people to this day. We must continue to push back on this COVID-19 pandemic by adhering to the guidance of our public health experts, which includes getting vaccinated and the booster shots. If you are 50 years and older or are immunocompromised, you are eligible to receive a second booster shot. Please continue to take precautions, be careful in public places, and keep praying for our people,” 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.

“As graduations continue, we want everyone to be safe and healthy so please continue to take safety precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Be safe and continue to pray each day for our frontline workers and our 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.