- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 153 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and four more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 781 as of Tuesday.
Reports indicate that 11,677 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 200,584 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 22,526, including two delayed reported cases.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 4,210
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,323
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,365
- Gallup Service Unit: 3,660
- Kayenta Service Unit: 2,166
- Shiprock Service Unit: 3,894
- Tuba City Service Unit: 2,466
- Winslow Service Unit: 1,415
* 27 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 2,799 new cases, Utah reported 2,736, and New Mexico reported 1,221 new cases.
“In certain regions of the country, we are seeing patients being turned away at hospitals and ICUs reaching full capacity, but here on the Navajo Nation we are starting to see our numbers of new cases of COVID-19 flattening out. We still do not know the impact of the Christmas holiday and we will continue to urge our people to celebrate the New Year safely at home with only immediate household members. The more we travel and the more that people hold in-person gatherings, the greater the risk of spreading the coronavirus. We have to stay focused on bringing down the numbers of COVID-19 cases even more to help our health care workers and to save more lives. Please pray, stay home as much as possible, wear your masks, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, and wash your hands often,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.
On Thursday, Dec. 31 at 10:00 a.m. (MST), the Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel to provide additional information and updates regarding COVID-19. The updates will later be broadcasted on local radio stations.
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: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19&source=gmail&ust=1609387557227000&usg=AFQjCNFkIYj8mMimNgq9nybdFNX0qoIvlQ">http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Ethics Complaint Alleges Former Navajo Nation Chief of Staff Accepted Gifts From Contractor
Monday Morning (December 14, 2025): Articles You May Have Missed This Past Weekend
Senators Demand Accountability Amid Reports of ICE Questioning Native Americans
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
