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 Mix County/Yankton Sioux Tribe)

* Navajo Area

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 three incidents, 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 at around 3:50pm Eastern.