#Virginia received an “A+” from @COVID19Tracking for the quality of data on the #CoronavirusPandemic’s impact on the state, so I thought I’d show y’all some of what is available to us here and SHOULD be available everywhere. 1/

The link to #coronavirus information is very easy to find on the main @VDHgov site. The URL “ https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/ “ is the entry point for accessing not only data but other helpful information, as you can see on the left. 2/

You’ll notice on the righthand side is a link to “Key Measures.” Case measures can be reported by “Total Cases,” on left, or “Deaths,” on right. The @cdcgov guidelines on re-opening, that were withdrawn by the @whitehouse, used these numbers. 3/

The “Key Measures” link can also show the user total hospital occupancy, #covid19 patient load, & #PPE availability. #Virginia finally seems to be able to supply healthcare workers w/ proper protection. The user can also see how the state is doing on #testing 4/

More granular data on the pandemic in the state is reachable from the main #coronavirus URL, but the user is first shown an overview of the latest updated numbers w/ a map showing how the crisis varies by locality and a bar graph of statewide cases. 5/

The map can show actual number of cases or the rate of infection per 100K residents. The bar chart can show cases, hospitalizations, or deaths. 6/

The dashboard allows the user to view #Virginia’s #covid19 data demographically or by locality. You can also display information on outbreaks. 7/

Demographic data is available for cases, hospitalizations, or deaths. Selecting deaths in the capital #Richmond, the page displays summary information for the city, then a breakdown of deaths by age, race, ethnicity, & sex, w/ a comparison to the entire state. 8/

Locality data on cases, hospitalizations, & deaths is displayed by date in bar charts. Charlottesville is shown here. 9/

Outbreak data can be displayed for the entire state or by locality. Below is information for the entire state. 10/

A link on the page to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association ( @VirginiaHHA) provides greater information on how #covid19 is impacting #Virginia hospitals.11/

There are multiple options for downloading these data. 12/

The “Situational Summary” provides a timeline, links to @GovernorVA’s Executive Orders, as well as important helpful information highlighted in yellow. 13/

This is just a portion of the information made available to the public by the #Virginia Department of Health. I am very grateful that @VDHgov provides me what I need to make informed decisions for myself, as an at-risk individual, & my family. 14/

I want to stress again that THERE IS NO REASON EACH STATE CANNOT PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION. We have access to these data not because @GovernorVA is a physician, but because it is what our state government is obligated to provide us as citizens of the commonwealth. 15/

I have published this thread in the hope that those who live in states trying to hide #covid19 data might use it as an example or cudgel to get the information you deserve. END/

This URL on Data Insights gives background, methods, & other explanation.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-data-insights/

This only scratches the surface. I planned on showing how these general data together w/ other features on the site could be used to draw specific conclusions about risk & safety. But this afternoon’s news has been a real gut punch.

Everything my family has worked, sacrificed, & risked lives for over the last 100+ years seems irretrievably lost.