Virus data reporting is expanded

The Virginia Department of Health has expanded its “key measures” reporting of COVID-19 infection data in four regions, including Southwest.

It should be noted that the department defines Southwest Virginia as extending east almost to Lynchburg.

The department announced Tuesday that the additional data includes:

• Number of cases by date reported.

• Number of cases by date of symptom onset.

• Number of deaths by date reported.

• Number of deaths by date on the death certificate.

• Number of testing encounters, number of positive testing encounters and percent of positivity by lab report date.

• Number of hospital beds occupied and available.

• Number of patients hospitalized with a positive or pending COVID-19 test.

• Number of hospitals in the region reporting difficulty acquiring personal protective equipment in the next 72 hours.

The new regional data “dashboards” can be found at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/key-measures/.