On a conference call with members of the media on the afternoon of March 17, 2020, Michael Toedt, the chief medical officer for the Indian Health Service, confirmed three “presumptive positive” cases of COVID-19 within IHS.
According to Toedt, the three cases are in the following areas of IHS:
When asked about the Navajo Area case, Toedt declined to provide details, citing a need to protect patient privacy.
“The individual who tested positive was referred to a higher level of care and is with one of our partner institutions,” Toedt said on the call. “All contacts are being thoroughly investigated as appropriate testing is being done.”
When pressed for further details on the Navajo case, as well as the two others, Toedt would not confirm whether the cases occurred in reservation or urban settings.
“To protect patient privacy, we are not going to identify where individuals live,” said Toedt.
The media conference call concluded 3:50pm Eastern.
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)