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Posted: January 15, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of January 13, 2021.

According to the data, 164,233 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of 0.9 percent from the 162,719 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,786,367 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through January 13, the data shows. That marks an increase of about 0.6 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 (16.7 percent), the Phoenix Area (14.5 percent) and the Oklahoma City Area (13.2 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, four regions have seen dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases. They are:

Three of the four regions include the state of Arizona.

Overall, 9.9 percent of IHS tests have been positive since the onset of the pandemic, the data shows. Meanwhile, the 7-day average has leveled off after increasing steadily during the holiday season. It now stands at 14.5 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 13, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 442,763 9,905 369,884 2.6% 2.8%
Albuquerque 80,670 7,204 54,757 11.6% 15.2%
Bemidji 120,641 9,072 108,351 7.7% 8.5%
Billings 86,509 7,053 75,937 8.5% 8.4%
California 56,914 5,553 48,067 10.4% 18.7%
Great Plains 124,255 13,285 110,413 10.7% 11.0%
Nashville 57,470 4,736 51,453 8.4% 12.7%
Navajo 205,701 28,039 139,563 16.7% 18.9%
Oklahoma City 384,631 50,126 328,760 13.2% 20.8%
Phoenix 144,779 20,850 122,995 14.5% 22.9%
Portland 71,465 6,098 64,595 8.6% 11.1%
Tucson 20,689 2,312 18,224 11.3% 20.1%
TOTAL 1,796,487 164,233 1,492,999 9.9% 14.5%

* 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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