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Posted: August 4, 2021

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The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results through July 31, 2021.

According to the data, 207,170 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of nearly 1.5 percent from the 204,197 cases previously reported on July 24.

Altogether, 2,607,916 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS, the results show. That represents an increase of almost 1.2 percent from the week 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, seven areas (out of 12 IHS areas) are seeing higher COVID-19 rates. They follow:

Notably, the 7-day rolling average positivity for the Alaska Area has grown in recent weeks. It now stands at 4.8 percent, the highest ever, although the cumulative percent positive in the region still remains the lowest in the IHS.

Overall, 8.5 percent of IHS tests have been positive since the onset of the pandemic, the data shows. Meanwhile, the 7-day average has risen to 10.2 percent following a long period of far lower rates in the spring of 2021.

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.

Beginning June 7, the IHS began updating its coronavirus data on a weekly basis. Previously, results were released every day.

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 July 31, 2021.

 
IHS Area
 
 
Tested
 
 
Positive
 
 
Negative
 
Cumulative
percent
positive *
7-day rolling
average
positivity *
Alaska 676,205 13,268 577,332 2.2% 4.8%
Albuquerque 101,954 8,429 72,479 10.4% 4.0%
Bemidji 180,595 12,102 165,637 6.8% 4.6%
Billings 106,561 7,576 95,686 7.3% 4.2%
California 93,620 8,754 81,365 9.7% 10.3%
Great Plains 156,289 14,564 141,214 9.3% 3.3%
Nashville 87,938 6,776 80,067 7.8% 9.7%
Navajo 276,859 32,987 195,380 14.4% 7.1%
Oklahoma City 563,634 65,702 493,477 11.7% 16.0%
Phoenix 197,382 25,225 171,453 12.8% 11.1%
Portland 136,085 8,904 126,738 6.6% 10.7%
Tucson 30,794 2,883 27,757 9.4% 5.9%
TOTAL 2,607,916 207,170 2,228,585 8.5% 10.2%

COVID-19 Testing Data will be updated weekly beginning on Monday, June 7, 2021.

Source: Indian Health Service (https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus)

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