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Posted: January 29, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of January 27, 2021.

According to the data, 175,708 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of almost 0.4 percent from the 175,014 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,912,377 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through January 27, the data shows. That marks an increase of 0.6 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, six areas have seen dramatic growth in COVID-19. They follow:

Three of the regions include the state of Arizona.

Overall, 9.9 percent of IHS tests have been positive since the onset of the pandemic, the data shows. Meanwhile, the 7-day average has leveled off after increasing steadily during the holiday season. It now stands at 10 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 January 27, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 470,506 10,629 397,682 2.6% 1.6%
Albuquerque 83,154 7,614 56,684 11.8% 17.2%
Bemidji 126,416 9,431 113,897 7.6% 7.4%
Billings 89,543 7,055 79,192 8.2% 4.0%
California 62,428 6,505 52,527 11.0% 15.9%
Great Plains 127,077 13,497 113,021 10.7% 7.3%
Nashville 61,728 5,271 55,393 8.7% 12.4%
Navajo 214,607 29,562 144,927 16.9% 16.9%
Oklahoma City 413,541 55,024 353,014 13.5% 16.3%
Phoenix 152,039 22,075 128,880 14.6% 15.6%
Portland 89,164 6,511 82,114 7.3% 5.1%
Tucson 22,174 2,534 19,483 11.5% 15.1%
TOTAL 1,912,377 175,708 1,596,814 9.9% 10.0%

* 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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