The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus testing data, showing results as of 11:59 pm Eastern on June 9, 2020.
According to the data, 13,806 tests administered within the IHS have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of nearly 2.4 percent from the 13,487 cases previously reported.
Altogether, 167,595 coronavirus tests have been conducted through June 9. That represents an increase of 3 percent from the day prior.
Overall, 8.2 percent of IHS coronavirus tests are returning positive. But the rate is far higher, nearly 22 percent, in the Navajo Area, which serves the largest reservation in the United States.
The Nashville Area, with 13.4 percent of tests returning COVID-19 positive, and the Phoenix Area, with 12.3 percent positive, are also higher than the IHS national rate.
On the other end of the spectrum, aggressive efforts in the Alaska Area are turning up very few cases. Out of 26,669 tests administered, only 0.21 returned positive, the data shows.
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.
According to the IHS budget justification for the current fiscal year (2020), there are 2,895,571 American Indians and Alaska Natives in the U.S., which is the most recent user population estimate. Based on that number, almost 5.8 percent of Native Americans have been tested for the coronavirus since the IHS began reporting data in March.
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 June 9, 2020.
| IHS Area | Tested | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 26,669 | 56 | 20,798 |
| Albuquerque | 14,444 | 840 | 9,947 |
| Bemidji | 8,926 | 275 | 8,625 |
| Billings | 14,691 | 258 | 13,721 |
| California | 3,361 | 138 | 2,704 |
| Great Plains | 10,141 | 588 | 9,348 |
| Nashville | 6,518 | 875 | 5,254 |
| Navajo | 32,364 | 7,093 | 23,547 |
| Oklahoma City | 19,723 | 436 | 17,647 |
| Phoenix | 21,647 | 2,662 | 18,630 |
| Portland | 7,367 | 515 | 6,534 |
| Tucson | 1,744 | 70 | 1,606 |
| TOTAL | 167,595 | 13,806 | 138,361 |
IHS: https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus/
IHS COVID-19 Dashboard
HHS Small Ambulatory Program Awards $55 Million to 15 Tribes and Tribal Organizations (Indian Health Service)
Indian Health Service Announces New Deputy Director for Quality Health Care and Enterprise Risk Management (Indian Health Service)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
White House Office of Management and Budget (Joe Biden Administration)
Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (Arizona, Navajo Nation)
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Navajo Nation Town Hall (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Tribal organizations statement on advance appropriations for Indian Health Service
Indian Health Service Statement on Advance Appropriations (Department of Health and Human Services)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)