9 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths reported by Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation reported on Saturday 9 new COVID-19 cases and 2 COVID-19 related deaths, according to the Navajo Department of Health. 

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement on Twitter that health officials reported the total number of deaths has risen to 1,332. 

9 new cases and four more deaths related to COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/t5zr21GVoH

— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) May 30, 2021

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the nation have risen to 30,839, according to the Associated Press report. 

Nez said the tribe has seen a decrease in new COVID-19 cases and increase in the number of people getting vaccinated. But he still urged members of the Navajo Nation to follow its mask mandate, even in states or cities that have lifted the requirement.

“Some cities and states do not have mask mandates in place, but our mask requirement remains in effect across the entire Navajo Nation. If you or your loved one have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, please consider doing so soon,” Nez said in his statement. “As stated before, the vaccines are highly-effective against the impacts of the virus, but it does not guarantee that you will not get the virus. We have to continue to make good choices that keep us safe and healthy.” 

The Navajo Nation, which stretches across Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, reported last week, when the total number of cases rose over 30,000, that more than 29,000 had recovered from their symptoms. 

According to a NPR report in April, the tribe has been hit hard during the ongoing pandemic with Native Americans dying at twice the rate of white Americans.