The Indian Health Service has updated its coronavirus testing data, reflecting results as of 7pm Eastern on April 4, 2020.
According to the data, a total of 6,759 people within the IHS system have been tested. Of those, 436 tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That’s yet another significant increase from the prior results, which showed 381 positive cases.
The data shows that the overwhelming number of people tested for COVID-19 are negative. However, the number of tests being administered continues to grow at a slower place than the number of infections, indicating a lack of testing throughout the IHS system.
Testing disparities are also being exposed by the data. The Great Plains Area, for instance, serves more than 130,000 Native Americans in four states. Most of the facilities in the region are run directly by the IHS.
Yet only 159 tests have been administered in the Great Plains Area, according to the IHS. Of those, 7 have returned positive results.
In comparison, 1,017 tests have been administered in the Alaska Area, which serves nearly 175,000 Native Americans. Six tests have returned positive.
“Data is reported from IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization facilities, though reporting by tribal and urban programs is voluntary,” the coronavirus site reads. “This is a rapidly evolving situation and the IHS will provide updated information as it becomes available and is verified.”
| IHS Area | Tested | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 1,017 | 6 | 326 |
| Albuquerque | 407 | 48 | 185 |
| Bemidji | 84 | 7 | 62 |
| Billings | 378 | 9 | 232 |
| California | 392 | 19 | 250 |
| Great Plains | 159 | 7 | 138 |
| Nashville | 61 | 3 | 41 |
| Navajo | 2,147 | 243 | 1,619 |
| Oklahoma City | 1,164 | 30 | 512 |
| Phoenix | 237 | 26 | 179 |
| Portland | 515 | 37 | 406 |
| Tucson | 198 | 1 | 135 |
| TOTAL | 6,759 | 436 | 4,085 |
IHS: https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus
Indian Health Service Announces New Deputy Director for Quality Health Care and Enterprise Risk Management (Indian Health Service)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
White House Office of Management and Budget (Joe Biden Administration)
Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (Arizona, Navajo Nation)
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Navajo Nation Town Hall (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Tribal organizations statement on advance appropriations for Indian Health Service
Indian Health Service Statement on Advance Appropriations (Department of Health and Human Services)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)
Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Indian Health Service (Department of Health and Human Services)