Indianz.Com > COVID-19 > Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
https://indianz.com/covid19/?p=11206
Posted: February 8, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

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

According to the data, 181,023 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of less than 1 percent from the 180,873 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,976,220 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through February 6, the data shows. That marks an increase of less than 1 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, five areas continue to see higher COVID-19 rates. 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 dropped off significantly after increasing during the holiday season. It now stands at 7.6 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.

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 February 6, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 487,583 10,853 411,901 2.6% 1.2%
Albuquerque 84,871 7,767 57,778 11.8% 9.1%
Bemidji 131,441 9,693 118,166 7.6% 4.2%
Billings 91,976 7,197 81,498 8.1% 6.4%
California 64,849 6,779 54,448 11.1% 12.6%
Great Plains 129,326 13,602 115,178 10.6% 3.6%
Nashville 63,935 5,453 57,372 8.7% 8.3%
Navajo 219,672 30,242 148,427 16.9% 12.7%
Oklahoma City 429,083 57,360 366,430 13.5% 14.9%
Phoenix 156,207 22,615 132,639 14.6% 11.6%
Portland 94,142 6,839 86,350 7.3% 6.4%
Tucson 23,135 2,623 20,359 11.4% 13.0%
TOTAL 1,976,220 181,023 1,650,546 9.9% 7.6%

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

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

Join the Conversation