Western MA COVID-19 Data

Here is a list of COVID-19 data and resources you can find on this page.  Either scroll through the page or click one of the links below.

COVID-19 County Data Dashboard

The recording is now available from the 9/18/2020 Webinar: Using the Western Massachusetts COVID-19 Data Dashboard.  Access the recording here.
 

Based on best available data as of 10/14/2020

Community-Level COVID-19 Data Over Time

Data Sources and Notes

  • Sources: MDPH, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting
    •  MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report. Current two week data is from most recent Public Health Report. Prior two week data is from prior week’s Public Health Report. Please note that there is an overlap in periods as MDPH reports weekly on rolling two week reporting periods, which they use for their comparisons. We report data in this way to be consistent with MDPH reporting.
    • MDPH COVID-19 Daily Dashboard. Date corresponding to most recent MDPH Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report.  
  • Comparisons to previous two-week period: Symbols indicate change when compared to prior two-week period.  For new cases, incidence per 100,000, and total tests: Higher (upward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is higher than the prior period. Lower (downward arrow) means the number in the current two-week period is lower than prior two-week period. No change (equal sign) means the number in the current two-week period is the same as the prior period. For percent positivity: less than 0.10% difference in the percent positivity is considered No change (equal sign). 
  • Race and ethnicity data by county and community is not available at this time.
  • Change in reporting: MDPH changed their reporting of county data on 8/12/20. Previously, county cases were in the Daily COVID-19 Dashboard report and included probable and confirmed cases. Beginning 8/12/20, county data is now reported in the Weekly COVID-19 report and cases only include confirmed cases. Thus, we are not currently able to show new case county-level data and other county-level data over time for periods prior to 8/12/20.

COVID-19 Dashboard Advisory Group

In addition to regularly soliciting feedback from the general public, we've established a COVID-19 Dashboard Advisory Group consisting of regional public health and data experts to help think through how we present this very complex data.  The Advisory Group consists of:

  • Bettye Anderson-Frederic – Former Springfield Health and Human Services Deputy Director
  • Molly Goren-Watts – Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
  • Gail Gramarossa – Collaborative for Educational Services
  • Laura Kittross – Berkshire Regional Planning Council
  • Phoebe Walker – Franklin Regional Council of Governments

COVID-19 Community-Level Data Map

The Baker-Polito Administration released enhanced community-level data on the spread of COVID-19, including an interactive map to visualize the data that is reported in the Department of Public Health's weekly COVID-19 dashboard that is posted each Wednesday at 4:00PM.

Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town has been designated as a higher risk (red), moderate risk (yellow), or lower risk (green) community. Communities with fewer than 5 cases are not given a designation. Click on a community to see key COVID-19 statistics.

Check out the  map below, or view a full screen version.

Caution interpreting data

Interpreting Case Data

Testing has been very limited due to shortages in availability of testing materials, and many people who may have had the disease were not able to be tested. Thus, the percent testing positive is dependent on who is tested and not necessarily reflective of the distribution of COVID-19 in the general population.

Interpreting Race and Ethnicity Data

It is important to examine data to understand racial and ethnic inequities related to COVID-19 so that action can be taken to address inequities.  National level data has demonstrated inequities among communities of color and though these inequities likely exist in many places across the country, Massachusetts testing data collected to date should be interpreted cautiously.  Race and ethnicity data was not initially collected for cases, so data being examined has a large percentage who were missing race and ethnicity and were classified as "unknown".

We acknowledge that it's important to look at COVID-19 data through an equity lens, and we will be working to do this as the data becomes available. Having data by race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, language, disability status, age, and geography will help us understand where the burden of disease is falling, and thus more effectively respond to COVID-19 and support our communities.  PHIWM is advocating for expanded demographic data collection about COVID-19.

Other covid-19 data resources

 

For information about COVID-19 prevention, resources, and advocacy, click here.