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Posted: February 17, 2021

COVID-19 Indian Country IHS

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results as of February 15, 2021.

According to the data, 183,791 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of about 0.2 percent from the 183,480 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 2,016,117 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS through February 15, the data shows. That marks an increase of 0.3 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, three areas continue to see higher COVID-19 rates. They follow:

Two of the regions include the state of Arizona.

Overall, 9.8 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 5.4 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 February 15, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 500,526 11,000 422,875 2.5% 1.1%
Albuquerque 86,544 7,895 58,655 11.9% 3.2%
Bemidji 134,490 9,883 121,181 7.5% 5.6%
Billings 92,614 7,215 82,130 8.1% 1.7%
California 66,460 6,966 55,756 11.1% 8.6%
Great Plains 130,706 13,671 116,493 10.5% 2.4%
Nashville 65,999 5,667 59,257 8.7% 10.0%
Navajo 222,358 30,532 150,375 16.9% 7.9%
Oklahoma City 437,922 58,454 374,726 13.5% 12.2%
Phoenix 158,601 22,852 134,778 14.5% 9.3%
Portland 96,220 6,995 88,417 7.3% 4.0%
Tucson 23,677 2,661 20,863 11.3% 6.4%
TOTAL 2,016,117 183,791 1,685,506 9.8% 5.4%

* 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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