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Posted: May 20, 2021

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The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results through May 18, 2021.

According to the data, 196,739 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of less than 1 percent from the 196,626 cases previously reported by IHS.

Altogether, 2,387,307 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS as of May 18. That represents an increase of 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, only two areas (out of 12 IHS areas) are seeing higher COVID-19 rates. They follow:

Overall, 8.8 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 3 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 May 18, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 609,615 12,089 519,971 2.3% 1.1%
Albuquerque 95,152 8,234 66,653 11.0% 4.9%
Bemidji 170,177 11,773 154,956 7.1% 6.0%
Billings 100,978 7,445 90,267 7.6% 2.2%
California 84,532 8,180 72,925 10.1% 4.3%
Great Plains 145,913 14,363 131,037 9.9% 2.7%
Nashville 79,926 6,284 72,794 7.9% 3.6%
Navajo 257,290 32,130 178,150 15.3% 4.6%
Oklahoma City 508,807 61,066 442,818 12.1% 2.0%
Phoenix 184,302 24,163 159,506 13.2% 5.2%
Portland 123,445 8,223 114,882 6.7% 4.8%
Tucson 27,170 2,789 24,227 10.3% 1.6%
TOTAL 2,387,307 196,739 2,028,186 8.8% 3.0%

* 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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