MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, Milwaukee County leaders announced significant updates to the nationally recognized COVID-19 dashboard, the first dashboard in the country to display COVID-19 data broken down by race & ethnicity. Throughout the pandemic, local leaders across jurisdictions have used the Milwaukee County COVID-19 dashboard to guide decision-making related to testing, outreach, and education. The dashboard pulls data from state and local sources to show the total number of cases, deaths, hospitalizations, testing, and percent positive, and uses a map to geographically demonstrate each of these categories.
“We continue to rely on the data to paint a clear picture of how the virus is affecting Milwaukee County and how we need to respond,” said County Executive David Crowley. “Detailed data that shows us what is happening in our communities will help us make even better decisions to keep residents safe and mitigate the spread of the disease. It also helps residents understand the extend of the community spread in their neighborhoods and help them make daily decisions for themselves and their families.”
The newest updates to the dashboard include a detailed view of demographic information related to both primary series vaccinations and booster vaccinations as well as municipal level vaccination trends.
“Our goals with the COVID-19 dashboard continue to center around transparency, accountability, and collaboration. More detailed information about the spread of the disease helps us all inform our approach on how to keep residents safe as the pandemic landscape continues to change and uncertainty about the future lingers,” said Office of Emergency Management Data Analytics Manager, Shannon Gramann.
Since the launch of the dashboard in March of 2020, data has been used to make decisions on everything from testing to resource allocation. In 2021, the County developed the EVE Model which views community vaccination rates alongside the CDC Social Vulnerability Index to inform equitable allocation of vaccines. Regularly mapping those results allowed for targeted messaging and resource allocation in a dynamic, needs-focused manner.
“Detailed data has proven significantly helpful to understand trends and guide resource allocation. In an ever-changing pandemic landscape, which becomes more complicated by the day, additional details will help leaders throughout the County to collaborate and make smart decisions to keep people safe. The dashboard is built to accommodate all levels of experience, from everyday citizens to career experts. You don’t have to be an epidemiologist to use this data,” said Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy Advisor Dr. Ben Weston. “In the last month we’ve seen cases rise significantly due to a dynamic pandemic driven by variants – with each new variant becoming increasingly more transmissible than the last. Right now, the data is showing us that hospitalizations are also rising, and this is the time for residents to maximize their protection by getting both doses of the vaccine and the additional booster shots available to them.”
With the landscape becoming increasingly risky, residents should do all they can to stay safe while working, visiting local businesses, or participating in large public gathering. Residents should be mindful of their personal level of risk and consider wearing a high quality N95/KN95 when indoors in public settings. Additionally, utilizing ventilation and being aware of distance in relation to others are effective tactics to limit risk of contracting the disease. Vaccinations remain the best tool for residents to keep themselves and others safe during the pandemic. HealthyMKE.com continues to be a resource for members of the public to learn more about the options to maximize their protection and find a vaccinator. Additionally, residents who are experiencing symptoms or have a confirmed case COVID-19 should consider contacting their health provider to learn more about potential treatments.
