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Posted: January 10, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of January 8, 2021.

According to the data, 158,216 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of 0.6 percent from the 157,198 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,755,198 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through January 8, the data shows. That marks an increase of nearly 0.4 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 (16.5 percent), the Phoenix Area (14.3 percent), the Oklahoma City Area (13 percent), the Albuquerque Area (11.5 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, 9.8 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 8, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 434,195 9,682 362,513 2.6% 3.8%
Albuquerque ** 79,007 6,982 53,964 11.5% 14.3%
Bemidji 118,380 8,882 106,508 7.7% 10.5%
Billings 85,994 6,971 75,467 8.5% 11.8%
California 55,042 5,162 46,733 9.9% 18.9%
Great Plains 122,769 13,113 109,083 10.7% 16.5%
Nashville 56,119 4,551 50,460 8.3% 11.7%
Navajo 200,804 27,131 136,842 16.5% 20.8%
Oklahoma City 372,535 47,714 318,951 13.0% 24.2%
Phoenix 141,612 20,131 120,491 14.3% 20.7%
Portland 68,125 5,714 61,657 8.5% 10.9%
Tucson 20,616 2,183 18,186 10.7% 20.0%
TOTAL 1,755,198 158,216 1,460,855 9.8% 16.5%

** Albuquerque Area Tested, Positive and Negative Tests decreased due to data reconciliation.

* 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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