Indianz.Com > COVID-19 > Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
https://wp.me/pbXgss-3uk
Posted: May 21, 2021

ihscovid19

The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results through May 19, 2021.

According to the data, 196,826 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of less than 1 percent from the 196,739 cases previously reported by the IHS.

Altogether, 2,390,357 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS as of May 19. That represents an increase of 0.1 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 (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 19, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 610,607 12,096 520,794 2.3% 1.2%
Albuquerque 95,247 8,239 66,750 11.0% 5.5%
Bemidji 170,583 11,787 155,348 7.1% 6.1%
Billings 100,978 7,445 90,267 7.6% 4.0%
California 84,632 8,182 72,963 10.1% 5.0%
Great Plains 145,913 14,363 131,037 9.9% 5.7%
Nashville 80,078 6,295 72,930 7.9% 6.1%
Navajo 257,643 32,142 178,450 15.3% 4.5%
Oklahoma City 509,229 61,074 443,223 12.1% 2.2%
Phoenix 184,500 24,179 159,721 13.1% 6.4%
Portland 123,689 8,232 115,115 6.7% 4.8%
Tucson 27,258 2,792 24,312 10.3% 1.3%
TOTAL 2,390,357 196,826 2,030,910 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)

Join the Conversation