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Posted: February 15, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

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

According to the data, 183,467 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of less than 1 percent from the 183,449 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 2,009,798 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through February 13, 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, three areas continue to see higher COVID-19 rates. They follow:

Two of the 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 declined significantly after increasing during the holiday season. It now stands at 6.4 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 February 13, 2020.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 497,410 10,946 420,126 2.5% 0.9%
Albuquerque 86,483 7,891 58,615 11.9% 3.4%
Bemidji 133,892 9,854 120,640 7.6% 6.4%
Billings 92,614 7,215 82,130 8.1% 1.4%
California 66,357 6,950 55,635 11.1% 9.9%
Great Plains 130,423 13,651 116,212 10.5% 1.2%
Nashville 65,999 5,667 59,239 8.7% 8.9%
Navajo 221,965 30,495 150,108 16.9% 10.2%
Oklahoma City 437,144 58,340 373,887 13.5% 12.1%
Phoenix 157,879 22,812 134,102 14.5% 11.7%
Portland 96,053 6,988 88,251 7.3% 4.9%
Tucson 23,579 2,658 20,778 11.3% 6.8%
TOTAL 2,009,798 183,467 1,679,723 9.8% 6.4%

* 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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