- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 160 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and four more deaths. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 20,095, including six delayed reported cases.
The total number of deaths is now 731 as of Wednesday. Reports indicate that 10,779 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 186,724 COVID-19 tests have been administered.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 3,886
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,138
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,142
- Gallup Service Unit: 3,303
- Kayenta Service Unit: 1,968
- Shiprock Service Unit: 3,340
- Tuba City Service Unit: 2,084
- Winslow Service Unit: 1,213
* 21 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 4,848 new cases, Utah reported 2,928, and New Mexico reported 1,816 new cases. The Navajo Nation remains in a three-week lockdown that requires all residents to remain home at all times with the exception of essential workers that are required to report to work, cases of emergencies, and to obtain essential items such as food, water, and medicine.
“The Navajo Nation is getting some relief with the deployment of medical personnel from the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services and with the distribution of the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, but this does not mean that it is time to let up. We have to continue taking all precautions and staying home as much as possible to avoid another large surge of new COVID-19 cases. Officials with the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility indicated on Tuesday that they are beginning to see a flattening of the curve in their region. This is very good news, but we have to keep our guard up and keep fighting. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings and crowds, and wash your hands often,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.
On Thursday, Dec. 17, the Nez-Lizer Administration will distribute food packages at Birdsprings Chapter at 12:00 p.m. and Indian Wells Chapter at 2:00 p.m. (MST) to help people stay home and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6:00 p.m. (MST), the Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page to provide additional updates.
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=1608258327801000&usg=AFQjCNEa630h10_EdQ1VIbtSuQ6vkeDzDA">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
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
11th Annual Native American Youth in Agriculture Leadership Summit
Chickasaw Man Named Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
