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Posted: February 22, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of February 20, 2021.

According to the data, 184,817 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of less than 1 percent from the 184,734 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 2,038,787 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through February 20, the data shows. That marks an increase of about 0.1 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:

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 4.7 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 20, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 508,859 11,065 429,885 2.5% 0.9%
Albuquerque 87,077 7,925 59,139 11.8% 5.7%
Bemidji 137,048 9,967 123,567 7.5% 2.7%
Billings 93,169 7,254 82,585 8.1% 7.0%
California 68,236 7,172 57,370 11.1% 12.0%
Great Plains 131,176 13,700 116,966 10.5% 7.3%
Nashville 66,940 5,745 60,227 8.7% 8.6%
Navajo 223,960 30,659 151,591 16.8% 8.2%
Oklahoma City 439,464 58,601 376,115 13.5% 13.9%
Phoenix 160,666 22,974 136,720 14.4% 5.8%
Portland 98,374 7,076 90,730 7.2% 3.8%
Tucson 23,818 2,679 20,986 11.3% 8.8%
TOTAL 2,038,787 184,817 1,705,881 9.8% 4.7%

* 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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