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Posted: January 26, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of January 24, 2021.

According to the data, 173,289 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of almost 0.7 percent from the 172,093 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 1,880,219 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through January 24, the data shows. That marks an increase of nearly 0.4 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, five areas have seen dramatic growth in COVID-19. They follow:

Two 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 11.2 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 24, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 461,792 10,541 389,376 2.6% 1.9%
Albuquerque 82,573 7,492 56,224 11.8% 17.7%
Bemidji 125,388 9,396 112,908 7.7% 5.7%
Billings 88,226 7,004 78,004 8.2% 6.2%
California 61,761 6,405 51,910 11.0% 18.1%
Great Plains 126,722 13,462 112,676 10.7% 7.2%
Nashville 60,513 5,142 54,416 8.6% 12.4%
Navajo 212,490 29,240 143,819 16.9% 17.1%
Oklahoma City 405,857 53,941 346,750 13.5% 16.8%
Phoenix 150,400 21,843 127,631 14.6% 17.5%
Portland 82,787 6,357 76,063 7.7% 6.2%
Tucson 21,710 2,466 19,085 11.4% 13.6%
TOTAL 1,880,219 173,289 1,568,862 9.9% 11.2%

* 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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