The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus data, showing results through August 17, 2021.

According to the data, 216,592 tests have returned positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That represents an increase of nearly 0.9 percent from the 214,714 cases previously reported on August 14.

Altogether, 2,705,111 coronavirus tests have been administered within the IHS, the results show. That represents an increase of about 0.8 percent from four days 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 five areas. Two of them include the state of Arizona, indicating a disproportionate toll of COVID-19 in the state:

• Navajo Area — 14.2 percent
• Phoenix Area — 12.7 percent
• Oklahoma City Area — 12.0 percent
• Albuquerque Area — 10.1 percent
• California Area — 10.0 percent

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, a record 11 areas (out of 12 IHS areas) are seeing higher COVID-19 rates. They follow:

• Oklahoma City Area — 18.0 percent
• Nashville Area — 12.6 percent
• California Area — 11.7 percent
• Phoenix Area — 10.3 percent
• Bemidji Area — 9.1 percent
• Portland Area — 8.2 percent
• Navajo Area — 7.7 percent
• Tucson Area — 7.6 percent
• Billings Area — 5.8 percent
• Alaska Area — 5.1 percent
• Great Plains Area — 5.0 percent

Notably, the 7-day rolling average positivity for the Alaska Area has steadily grown in recent weeks. The region recorded its highest-ever rate with the release of data on August 14, beating the record set on August 10. Throughout most of the pandemic, the Alaska Area had seen the lowest rate of COVID-19 cases within the IHS.

Overall, 8.6 percent of IHS tests have been positive since the onset of the pandemic, the data shows. Meanwhile, the 7-day average stands at 9.3 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. But as the number of COVID-19 cases grows again, the agency is releasing results on Mondays and Thursdays. During the height of the pandemic throughout 2020 and the first half of 2021, results were provided 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 August 17, 2021.

COVID-19 testing data is updated on Mondays and Thursdays.

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