The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus testing data, showing results as of 11:59pm Eastern on April 25, 2020.
According to the data, 26,560 tests have been administered within the IHS system. Of those, 2,882 have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The figure represents a 5.7 percent increase in positive cases from the 2,726 previously reported.
Overall, testing grew by just 4.4 percent between April 24 and April 25. That’s flatter than the 6.9 percent increase between April 23 and April 24.
The data continues to show testing disparities across Indian Country. The California Area serves the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the country yet only broke the 1,000-test milestone on April 25.
The Portland Area surpassed the 1,000-test milestone on April 24. The region serves 150,000 Native Americans in three Northwest states.
The Tucson Area, however, remains far below the same milestone, according to the data. No new tests in fact have been reported in the region, which serves more than 27,000 Native Americans in southern Arizona, in the past three IHS updates. Further, only 10 new tests have been reported since April 22.
The Bemidji Area is also trailing far behind, though testing has ticked up in recent days. Between April 22 and April 25, the region saw a 57.7 percent increase although the overall number of tests remains the lowest among all IHS regions.
In contrast, the Alaska Area saw a whopping 72.1 percent increase in testing between April 22 and April 25. The region, which serves nearly 175,000 Native Americans, shows the second-highest number of tests within the IHS.
“Data is reported from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization facilities, though reporting by tribal and urban programs is voluntary,” the IHS states on its website.
| IHS Area | Tested | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 3,761 | 16 | 2,749 |
| Albuquerque | 2,475 | 256 | 1,756 |
| Bemidji | 440 | 33 | 283 |
| Billings | 2,551 | 48 | 2,322 |
| California | 1,005 | 63 | 732 |
| Great Plains | 1,192 | 61 | 1,090 |
| Nashville | 1,543 | 116 | 1,259 |
| Navajo | 7,323 | 1,800 | 4,856 |
| Oklahoma City | 3,371 | 120 | 3,074 |
| Phoenix | 1,244 | 242 | 877 |
| Portland | 1,067 | 111 | 907 |
| Tucson | 588 | 16 | 478 |
| TOTAL | 26,560 | 2,882 | 20,383 |
IHS: https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus/
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