- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Saturday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 168 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 626 as of Saturday. Reports indicate that 8,055 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 147,354 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 14,612, including three delayed reported cases.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 3,160
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,583
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,495
- Gallup Service Unit: 2,332
- Kayenta Service Unit: 1,571
- Shiprock Service Unit: 2,131
- Tuba City Service Unit: 1,524
- Winslow Service Unit: 807
* Nine residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
The Navajo Nation’s three-week stay-at-home lockdown is in effect 24-hours a day, seven days a week with the exception of essential workers, cases of emergencies, and to purchase essential items such as food and medication when essential businesses are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. On Saturday, the state of New Mexico reported 2,353 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 3,638 new cases, and Utah reported 3,395 cases.
“I am very grateful to our frontline warriors who continue to fight for us every day during this pandemic. Unfortunately, our first responders are also being impacted by the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and that makes this pandemic much more difficult to manage and control. Every person, every resident on the Navajo Nation has the ability to help change the path that we are on simply by staying home as much as we can. When we move around and travel then the virus spreads, but when we stay home, we isolate the virus. Everyone should be holding themselves accountable and making sure their family members stay home as well, and we strongly encourage everyone to get tested soon. We brought down the number of cases here on the Navajo Nation to zero in early September and we can do it again, but we cannot let up and we have to remain strong and keep fighting together,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall at 5:00 p.m. (MST) to provide updates on COVID-19. Public health officials continue to urge the public not to hold in-person gatherings with non-household members during the upcoming holidays due to COVID-19 risks. Navajo Area IHS and 638 hospitals continue to offer COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites.
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=1606101518504000&usg=AOvVaw28HtTS13tXny4PDYdbMlf_">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
Native News Weekly (December 14, 2025): D.C. Briefs
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
