TULSA, OK – [March 9, 2021] – The Tulsa Health Department announced updates to the county’s COVID-19 data reporting process on the dashboard on the agency website. The new reporting protocols will remain focused on application of the data to make informed decisions about COVID-19 in Tulsa County.
“The Tulsa Health Department’s commitment to transparency and data to inform residents and stakeholders has long been a cornerstone of this agency. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we quickly recognized the need to expand traditionally reported metrics so our community could follow the trajectory of the virus in Tulsa County,” said THD Division Chief of Data and Technology Monica Rogers. “After a year of daily updates to the dashboard, we are making some modifications to the dashboard to more closely align with standard disease reporting protocols such as annual death rates and case rates. Data indicators that are no longer being used, or are no longer relevant for operational or community decision making, will be removed. Additionally, we are making these changes as a step towards this work becoming more sustainable for THD data staff.”
The agency intends for the adjustments to streamline reporting and shift resources to analyze the numbers being reported.
“After more than a year of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe these changes are more sustainable for our staff and just as open and transparent to Tulsa County residents who are closely keeping track of COVID-19,” said Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Dart. “In the past, we’ve been able to use this data to make science and data-driven decisions when it comes to mitigation strategies. This will not stop and will continue as long as COVID-19 is active in our community. Though some items have been removed from our online dashboard, we want to reassure everyone that the agency remains committed to transparency.”
Some changes are to frequency of reporting, while others impact what numbers are reported out. The full list of changes to the online dashboard include:
Move to weekday-only updates. Monday updates will include data from the prior weekend.
Move to weekly updates of death data, in accordance with Oklahoma State Department of Health death data reporting.
Remove case rate, death rate, and hospitalization rate.
Remove recovered.
Remove 4 day rolling average of cases.
Remove 14 day rolling average of deaths.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19 in Tulsa County, visit bit.ly/TulsaCoData. For statewide numbers, visit https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/.
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