DHS releases new maps providing geographic breakdown of COVID-19 case, death data

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released maps and data tables Wednesday, Dec. 2, that break down confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths by new geographic boundaries. 

The new maps allow Wisconsinites to view data by municipalities, zip code areas and school district boundaries, according to a press release.

DHS says school district boundary data represent all COVID-19 case and death information for those who live in that area. The department says data are inclusive of all ages, are not limited to school-aged children and are not showing cases or deaths specific to schools.

Geographic boundaries use location data from the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) to populate the maps with COVID-19 information based on the address an individual provides at the time of testing. No personally identifiable information is shared.

The mapped case metrics present seven-day averages of new case rates, cumulative case counts, and cumulative case rates, according to DHS. Cases included in these maps are confirmed COVID-19 cases from molecular tests only. Results from antigen and antibody tests are not included.

The department says mapped death metrics present cumulative death rates, cumulative death counts, and percent of deaths among all cases. Data represent all COVID-19 case and death information for those who live in that geographic area. Darker colors indicate a higher rate, count, or percentage of COVID-19 cases or deaths. Clicking within a specific boundary provides location-specific metrics. These data are available for download via links in the call-out box at the bottom of each data page.

DHS plans to update these data by 2 p.m. each day.