Indianz.Com > COVID-19 > Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
https://indianz.com/covid19/?p=9168
Posted: October 29, 2020

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of October 27, 2020.

According to the data, 68,419 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of 1.7 percent from the 67,254 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,092,383 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through October 27, the data shows. That marks an increase of 1.2 percent from the day prior.

Since mid-October, the IHS has been providing additional information about the spread of the coronavirus within the system. The cumulative percent positive column shows the historical COVID-19 infection rate, meaning the number of tests that have returned positive since the onset of the pandemic.

Based on the cumulative percent positive, the highest rates are being seen in the Navajo Area (12.9 percent), the Phoenix Area (12.8 percent) and the Tucson Area (8 percent). All three regions include the state of Arizona, indicating a disproportionate toll of COVID-19 in the state.

The 7-day rolling average positivity column offers a contemporary look at the impact of the coronavirus. The data shows where COVID-19 cases have been increasing more recently.

Based on the 7-day rolling average positivity, three different areas have seen dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases. They are: the Great Plains Area (23 percent), the Billings Area (12.8 percent) and the Oklahoma City Area (12.4 percent).

Overall, 6.7 percent of IHS tests have been positive since the onset of the pandemic. The 7-day average is slightly higher, at 8.6 percent.

The data, however, is incomplete. While 100 percent of facilities run directly by the IHS are reporting data, only 33 percent of tribally managed facilities and 44 percent of urban Indian organizations are doing the same, the agency has told Indianz.Com.

The agency also provided to Indianz.Com the service population for 2019: 2,562,290. Based on that figure, 42.6 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives have been tested for the coronavirus since the IHS began reporting data in March.

The IHS user population, on the other hand, is a much smaller number. As of 2019, 1,662,834 American Indians and Alaska Natives have lived within a service delivery area and have received health care at an IHS or tribal facility during the previous three years.

Based on the user population, 65.7 percent of Native Americans have been tested for the coronavirus since the IHS began reporting data in March.

COVID-19 Cases by IHS Area

Data are reported from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization facilities, though reporting by tribal and urban programs is voluntary. Data reflect cases reported to the IHS through 11:59 pm on October 27, 2020.

IHS Area
Tested
Positive
Negative
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 295,035 4,236 262,547 1.6% 3.9%
Albuquerque 53,344 2,622 38,710 6.3% 8.6%
Bemidji 70,116 3,249 64,105 4.8% 8.1%
Billings 70,852 4,607 62,573 6.9% 12.8%
California 23,786 1,494 21,681 6.4% 5.4%
Great Plains 86,320 5,946 79,258 7.0% 23.0%
Nashville 33,877 2,454 30,445 7.5% 8.8%
Navajo 114,736 12,717 86,167 12.9% 6.5%
Oklahoma City 209,949 16,525 188,771 8.0% 12.4%
Phoenix 87,125 10,993 75,102 12.8% 9.4%
Portland 38,937 2,923 35,282 7.7% 8.1%
Tucson 8,306 653 7,544 8.0% 5.9%
TOTAL 1,092,383 68,419 952,185 6.7% 8.6%

* Cumulative percent positive and 7-day rolling average positivity are updated three days per week.

Source: https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus (Indian Health Service)

Join the Conversation