On Wednesday (12/2), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released Geographic Information System (GIS) maps and corresponding downloadable data tables that break down confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths by a variety of geographic boundaries, including by municipal and school district boundaries and by zip code.
Among other things, the new maps will allow Wisconsinites to view existing COVID-19 case rates and death data by school district boundaries. In announcing the new maps, DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm said, “Breaking down existing case data by these additional geographies offers new ways for people to understand COVID-19 activity within their communities.”
It is important to note that school district boundary data represent all COVID-19 case and death information for persons who live within that school district. These data include all persons of all ages; they are not limited to school-aged children, and do not show cases or deaths specific to individual 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. Cases included in these maps are confirmed COVID-19 cases from molecular tests only. Results from antigen and antibody tests are not included.