12 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths reported among Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation on Saturday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases and two 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 for the tribe was 1,299 with the total number of cases being 30,767. More than 29,000 of those infected have recovered from their symptoms. 

Nez continued to encourage the tribe to take health precautions associated with COVID-19.

12 new cases, 29,376 recoveries, and two more deaths related to COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/oQINACbGgu

— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) May 22, 2021

“When you wear a mask, you are being a warrior because you’re protecting yourself and others from the virus,” Nez also said in the statement. “Please continue to wear masks in public, wash your hands often, practice social distancing, avoid large in-person gatherings and limit travel as much as possible.”

The Navajo Nation tribe, which stretches across Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, had reported the highest per capita infection rate in the U.S. at the height of the pandemic, CNBC reported.

The nation previously reported “uncontrolled spread” of the virus at the end of the last year across its 75 communities, according to NPR.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit tribal nations disproportionality hard with Native Americans dying at twice the rate of white people, NPR reported.