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Posted: May 24, 2021

ihscovid19

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results through May 22, 2021.

According to the data, 196,977 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of less than 1 percent from the 196,951 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 2,396,001 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS as of May 22. That represents an increase of less than 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, four 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 stands at 3.3 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 22, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 611,728 12,105 521,809 2.3% 1.0%
Albuquerque 95,982 8,245 67,319 10.9% 2.4%
Bemidji 171,059 11,813 155,800 7.0% 5.0%
Billings 101,229 7,447 90,432 7.6% 2.4%
California 84,831 8,188 73,153 10.1% 4.5%
Great Plains 145,913 14,363 131,037 9.9% 7.4%
Nashville 80,224 6,302 73,064 7.9% 6.3%
Navajo 258,660 32,181 179,258 15.2% 3.7%
Oklahoma City 510,008 61,085 444,024 12.1% 2.5%
Phoenix 184,939 24,212 160,145 13.1% 6.7%
Portland 124,089 8,242 115,457 6.7% 4.0%
Tucson 27,339 2,794 24,391 10.3% 1.8%
TOTAL 2,396,001 196,977 2,035,889 8.8% 3.3%

* 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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