COVID-19 in Indian Country
Bryan Newland, the president of the Bay Mills Indian Community, posted a social media thread about coronavirus testing in tribal communities. He said the Indian Health Service has failed to live up to promises about testing being readily available to tribal nations. As of Thursday, March 19, 2020, the IHS had facilitated testing for more […]

 The number of #Coronavirus cases on the Navajo Nation continues to grow by the day. The embedded map helps visualize the reach of the disease on the reservation, which is the largest in the United States. According to Navajo leaders, the #COVID19 patients reported to or were transported to, or were treated at three […]

News from Indianz.Com: With the number of coronavirus cases in Indian Country growing by the day, tribes are pressing the federal government to live up to its treaty and trust responsibilities and ensure their communities aren’t left out of relief efforts. https://www.indianz.com/News/2020/03/19/lives-are-at-risk-coronavirus-cases-cont.asp

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2020 WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday evening, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed by the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area IHS that the total number of positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus for members […]

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2020 Third member of the Navajo Nation tests positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, Public Health Emergency Order issued  WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed on Wednesday evening by the Navajo Department of Health that a third […]

03.18.20 Chair Grijalva Pushes for Clarity on Federal Coronavirus Response in Indian Country – Asks for Documentation of Testing Equipment at Tribal Centers Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today sent a letter to Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, principal deputy director for Indian Health Services (IHS), citing a number of concerns about the […]

The coronavirus continues to wreak social and economic havoc in Indian County, with more and more tribes curtailing their operations as the first cases are confirmed in their communities. Indian Country plunges into uncertainty as coronavirus reaches their communities

Indianz.Com Video: Coronavirus in Indian Country #COVID19


The Indian Health Service held a conference call with members of the media on the afternoon of March 17, 2020. Following are the remarks as prepared for delivery by Michael Toedt, who serves as the chief medical officer for the IHS. Remarks for RADM Michael Toedt IHS Media Call — COVlD-19 March 17, 2020 I […]

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: * Portland Area * Great Plains Area (Charles […]

IHS COVID-19 Call for All Tribes and Urban Indian Organization Leaders — March 19 at 3:30 PM Eastern Time Please join the Indian Health Service for a follow-up call with Tribes and urban Indian organization leaders to provide an update on COVID-19. Tribal leaders will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions to […]

The Yankton Sioux Tribe remains closed through March 20 following a case of the coronavirus on its homelands in South Dakota. The tribe shut down operations last week after the Indian Health Service confirmed the case. The state had only said the patient was from Charles Mix County. The federal agency later informed Indian Country […]