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Posted: February 1, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of January 30, 2021.

According to the data, 177,196 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of nearly 0.2 percent from the 176,893 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,928,584 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through January 30, the data shows. That marks an increase of almost 0.2 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 three areas. Two of them 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 areas have seen dramatic growth in COVID-19. They follow:

Three of the 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 10.4 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 30, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 474,300 10,697 400,830 2.6% 1.5%
Albuquerque 83,534 7,641 56,878 11.8% 14.4%
Bemidji 127,290 9,474 114,724 7.6% 6.6%
Billings 89,834 7,065 79,518 8.2% 4.0%
California 63,022 6,552 53,001 11.0% 12.4%
Great Plains 128,292 13,565 114,157 10.6% 6.5%
Nashville 61,991 5,306 55,657 8.7% 10.7%
Navajo 216,163 29,801 146,018 16.9% 16.5%
Oklahoma City 418,171 55,708 357,072 13.5% 15.2%
Phoenix 153,356 22,254 130,106 14.6% 14.7%
Portland 90,102 6,574 83,001 7.3% 6.5%
Tucson 22,529 2,559 19,816 11.4% 11.3%
TOTAL 1,928,584 177,196 1,610,778 9.9% 10.4%

* 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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