New Respiratory Illness Data Dashboard Released by Spokane Regional Health District

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) recently unveiled an interactive respiratory illness dashboard that provides valuable insights into COVID-19, flu, and RSV trends and their impact in Spokane County. This new dashboard includes data on emergency department visits with a diagnosed respiratory illness, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and flu, long-term care outbreaks, COVID-19 and flu mortality rates, and virus levels in wastewater. The dashboard aims to increase awareness of respiratory illness activity, mark the onset of the respiratory illness season, and aid in decision-making regarding infection control policies.

This new dashboard builds upon the previous COVID-19 dashboard by incorporating data for flu and RSV. Data for the dashboard is sourced from various sources including the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics, Washington State Disease Reporting System, Washington State Department of Health, and sample surveillance of local water reclamation facilities. The goal of the dashboard is to provide key information directly to the community to help organizations and individuals make well-informed policies and decisions that could potentially save lives.

Mark Springer, the Communicable Disease Investigation and Prevention Manager, emphasized the importance of the respiratory illness dashboard in empowering the community with knowledge to combat respiratory illnesses effectively. To access the interactive dashboard, visit srhd.org/respiratory-illness-dashboard. Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) serves as a leader and partner in public health, striving to protect, improve, and promote the health and well-being of all individuals through evidence-based practices. SRHD is one of 34 local public health agencies serving Washington state’s 39 counties. For comprehensive and updated information about SRHD and its efforts to make Spokane a safer and healthier community, visit www.srhd.org. Follow SRHD on Facebook or Twitter for safety and wellness tips.