Kelli Hawkins, SRHD | khawkins@srhd.org | 509.324.1539, c. (509) 994.8968

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) released a new, interactive respiratory illness dashboard that provides insights into COVID-19, flu, and RSV trends and their impacts in Spokane County.

The 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
• Virus levels in wastewater

The dashboard expands on the previous COVID-19 dashboard by adding data for flu and RSV. Data for the dashboard comes from 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 dashboard serves to promote awareness of respiratory illness activity, mark the onset of respiratory illness season, and assist in infection control policy decision making.

“The respiratory illness dashboard allows SRHD to share information directly to the community,” said Communicable Disease Investigation and Prevention Manager Mark Springer. “Seeing illness trends and virus levels in wastewater will allow organizations and people in the community to make informed policies and decisions that could ultimately save lives.”

To use the interactive dashboard visit srhd.org/respiratory-illness-dashboard.

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is a leader and partner in public health by protecting, improving and promoting the health and well-being of all people through evidence-based practices. SRHD is one of 34 local public health agencies serving Washington state’s 39 counties. Visit www.srhd.org for comprehensive, updated information about SRHD and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community. Like SRHD on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to receive safety and wellness tips.