
- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 146 new Covid-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths.
The total number of deaths is now 819 as of Sunday. Reports indicate that 12,191 individuals have recovered from Covid-19, and 205,373 Covid-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive Covid-19 cases is now 23,728.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 4,411
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,427
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,474
- Gallup Service Unit: 3,835
- Kayenta Service Unit: 2,252
- Shiprock Service Unit: 4,129
- Tuba City Service Unit: 2,662
- Winslow Service Unit: 1,512
* 26 residences with Covid-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
On Sunday, the state of Arizona reported 17,234 new cases, Utah reported 1,819, and New Mexico reported 1,033 new cases.
“The state of Arizona has a very alarming and record-breaking number of new Covid-19 cases reported today with a total of 17,234. I cannot emphasize enough that the safest place to be is here at home on the Navajo Nation. We have measures in place with the lockdown and mask mandate to help prevent the type of out of control spread we are seeing other parts of Arizona that don’t have preventative measures in place. Please protect yourselves and your loved ones by staying home as much as possible, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, avoid gatherings, and washing your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown remains in effect until Monday, Jan. 4 at 5:00 a.m. (MST). Covid-19 testing schedules are available online at the Navajo Health Command Operations Center website: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Testing&source=gmail&ust=1609812690902000&usg=AFQjCNFwMRStLjHkYW-xRdpmh-VkCxQnxA">https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/COVID-19-Testing.
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=1609812690903000&usg=AFQjCNGzDq2jNDN8LmeZdvsWdMayqWKkzg">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
Native News Weekly (June 15, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Photographs of the Homecoming of the Three Fires Powwow
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