The ultimate guide to COVID-19 data

Data provides us with a crystal ball-like look into our world. Which is why smart businesses and individuals use data to make dramatically better choices.

Knowing where to find the data that is being collected about Covid-19 enables you to gain powerful insights into the progression of the disease so that you can make wise decisions around your safety, where it’s safe to visit and what areas to avoid. Below is listed the most important data points to be aware of regarding the disease and where to find these.

TEST POSITIVITY RATE: This is a strongest signal we have indicating the prevalence of the disease in an area. The disease is considered under control in an area if the positivity rate remains under 5% for 3 weeks.

Knysna: Western Cape Coronavirus Dashboard (Click on Additional Analysis and then select Knysna and find the positivity graph on the right)

Western Cape: Western Cape Coronavirus Dashboard (Click on Additional Analysis and find the positivity graph on the right)

National: Please see the National Institute for Communicable Diseases website (Select Page 2 of the report)

International: Please see Our World In Data

HOSPITALIZATIONS: This is the strongest signal we have as to how rapidly the disease is spreading in a community.

Knysna: No data is available on hospitalizations in the town. The closest you will find is the data for the entire Garden Route District Municipality, usually updated weekly on the Garden Route District website

Western Cape: Please see the National Institute for Communicable Diseases website (Click on Surveillance in Selected Hospitals and select the latest report. These are updated daily)

National: See above report

International: Available from each countries health department

DEATHS: This is the strongest signal we have on the true impact of the disease.

Knysna: Wester Cape Coronavirus Dashboard. Updated daily. (Click on Additional Analysis and then select Knysna, then Number of Deaths by Date) You can also check the Garden Route Municipality Health Platform Updates. The updates here have been inconsistent but should be updated weekly.)

Western Cape: Western Cape Coronavirus Dashboard. Updated daily.

National: The Department of Health releases this data daily. You can get these here or here

(Note: It is also important to be aware of the research done by the South African Medical Research Counsel on excess deaths in South Africa. You can see the weekly reports here.)

International: Please see Our World In Data

Armed with the above you can make data-driven decisions for your business and personally. No need to rely on others or hearsay.

Until we have a vaccine there is only one way to stop the spread:

🏠 Work from home if you can
😷 Wear a mask when in public
🧍🏻‍♂️↔️🧍🏻Keep a 1.5/2m distance from others
🧼Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
📱Use the Covid Alert app
🤒 Stay home if you are feeling ill