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Posted: January 8, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of January 6, 2021.

According to the data, 155,180 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of 1.2 percent from the 153,335 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,740,441 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through January 6, the data shows. That marks an increase of 0.7 percent from the day prior.

Since mid-October of 2020, 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 have been seen in the Navajo Area (16.4 percent), the Phoenix Area (14.2 percent), the Oklahoma City Area (12.8 percent), the Albuquerque Area (11.2 percent) and the Great Plains Area (10.7 percent). The first two 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 more contemporary look at the impact of the coronavirus. The data shows where COVID-19 cases have been increasing recently.

Based on the 7-day rolling average positivity, three regions have seen dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases. They are: the Oklahoma City Area (24.2 percent), the Navajo Area (20.8 percent) and the Phoenix Area (20.7 percent). Two of the three regions include the state of Arizona.

Overall, 9.7 percent of IHS tests have been positive since the onset of the pandemic, the data shows. Meanwhile, the 7-day average has increased over the last several days. It now stands at 16.5 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.

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 January 6, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 430,662 9,571 359,883 2.6% 3.8%
Albuquerque 83,503 7,305 57,851 11.2% 14.3%
Bemidji 117,433 8,811 105,643 7.7% 10.5%
Billings 85,799 6,958 75,183 8.5% 11.8%
California 55,580 4,925 47,808 9.3% 18.9%
Great Plains 122,249 13,073 108,610 10.7% 16.5%
Nashville 55,314 4,462 49,823 8.2% 11.7%
Navajo 198,146 26,610 135,192 16.4% 20.8%
Oklahoma City 363,867 45,856 312,446 12.8% 24.2%
Phoenix 140,269 19,816 119,505 14.2% 20.7%
Portland 67,183 5,624 60,759 8.5% 10.9%
Tucson 20,436 2,169 18,020 10.7% 20.0%
TOTAL 1,740,441 155,180 1,450,723 9.7% 16.5%

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

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

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