Navajo Nation: No COVID-related deaths for 3rd day in a row

Delta Variant cases continues to rise

According to the CDC, the Delta Variant is twice as contagious an Epidemiologist weighs in on what it means for those unvaccinated and vaccinated. FOX 10's Irene Snyder reports.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The Navajo Nation on August 3 reported 28 new COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the third consecutive day.

The latest numbers released by tribal health officials pushed the total number of coronavirus cases to 31,449 since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

The known death toll remains at 1,377.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers

Coronavirus testing site in Arizona (file) (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Amouris Coss)

The Navajo Nation reservation is the country’s largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

"We need more of our people to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and we need to continue wearing masks in public and taking precautions to keep ourselves and other safe and healthy," tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a statement Tuesday. "This virus can affect anyone, people of all ages, vaccinated or unvaccinated."

MORE: Find COVID-19 vaccine locations in your area

MORE: Maricopa County COVID-19 vaccine status updates

MORE: Arizona Dept. of Health COVID-19 vaccine prioritization

In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Monitor your health daily

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.

Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.

Tune in to FOX 10 Phoenix for the latest news:

Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 10 News app. Download for Apple iOS or Android.