How to track the coronavirus: Dashboard delivers real-time view of the deadly virus

February 03, 2020

As coronavirus spreads, an online dashboard provides live data of the epidemic
The live dashboard pulls data from sources like the World Health Organization to show all confirmed and suspected cases of coronavirus, along with recoveries and deaths.

The Center for Systems Science and Engineering has launched an online dashboard that is tracking the spread of the deadly coronavirus as it makes its way across China and beyond.

The live dashboard pulls data from the World Health Organization (WHO) — as well as the centers for disease control in the US, China and Europe — to show all confirmed and suspected cases of coronavirus, along with recovered patients and deaths. The data is visualized through a real-time graphic information system (GIS) powered by Esri.

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Coronavirus is believed to have originated in Wuhan City, China, and so far has killed 362 people and sickened more than 17,000 in mainland China alone. Despite efforts by the Chinese government to quarantine the virus, cases have also been confirmed across Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

As of Monday, there have been 11 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States. In addition to those patients, US health officials are currently monitoring more than 100 people across the country for the virus. Those infected with coronavirus are exhibiting pneumonia-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

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Additional resources for tracking the virus include this page from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and another from the WHO. These websites list up to date news on the spread of the virus as well as situation reports and maps of infected areas. Researchers from the University of Oxford, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital and Northeastern University have also launched a virus tracking website with real-time updates.

Coronavirus was first reported to the WHO on Dec. 31, with Chinese investigators linking the disease to the coronavirus family of viruses, which also includes the deadly SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said on a conference call last Monday that the public risk in the US right now is still considered low.

“We understand that many people in the United States are worried about this virus and how it will affect Americans,” Messonnier said. “Every day we learn more, every day we assess to see if our guidance or our response can be improved.”

Nonetheless, financial markets are on edge amid fears of a global pandemic. The DOW Industrial dropped as much as 549 points last Monday before rebounding and crashing again by the end of the week. Chinese stocks also plunged Monday as the coronavirus outbreak worsened.

Individual technology companies are also reporting uncertainty surrounding the China market and the impact of the coronavirus. Apple noted in its first quarter financial results last week that the coronavirus outbreak in China is affecting operations.

“We do have some suppliers in the Wuhan area,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said on a conference call with analysts. “All of these suppliers, there are alternate sources, and we’re obviously working on mitigation plans to make up any expected production loss. With respect to supply sources that are outside the Wuhan area, the impact is less clear at this time.”

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