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Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results through March 20, 2021.

According to the data, 189,144 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Altogether, 2,159,849 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through March 20, the data shows. 

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, two areas continue to see higher COVID-19 rates. They follow:

Overall, 9.4 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 2.9 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 March 20, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 548,622 11,394 465,418 2.4% 0.9%
Albuquerque 90,431 8,056 62,219 11.5% 3.6%
Bemidji 147,173 10,292 133,358 7.2% 3.8%
Billings 95,487 7,336 84,842 8.0% 4.5%
California 74,132 7,710 63,248 10.9% 6.4%
Great Plains 136,084 14,005 121,566 10.3% 5.9%
Nashville 71,742 5,961 64,782 8.4% 2.1%
Navajo 233,818 31,221 159,369 16.4% 4.5%
Oklahoma City 462,394 59,873 397,514 13.1% 3.7%
Phoenix 167,328 23,232 143,226 14.0% 3.8%
Portland 107,504 7,335 99,651 6.9% 2.2%
Tucson 25,134 2,729 22,252 10.9% 1.6%
TOTAL 2,159,849 189,144 1,817,445 9.4% 2.9%

* 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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