Montco COVID-19 data hub recognized for excellence

NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County was recognized for excellence for the way it delivered data-driven information about the local spread of COVID-19 through a hub and dashboard on the county’s website.

The county recently received the 2020 Geographic Information System (GIS) in Excellence Award for the COVID-19 hub and dashboards it launched last year and which provided the region with an up-to-the-moment integration of maps and health data about the spread of COVID-19. The award was presented by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania on May 11, during the 2021 Virtual PA GIS Conference.

Montgomery County GIS Manager David Long and analyst Jim Rebilas developed the hub, which was selected for the award by GIS professionals

across the state.

“Building trust with our communities by being transparent and delivering data-driven information about COVID-19 has always been a top priority from the beginning. I am proud that Montgomery County was able to lead the way in providing the most information about the pandemic in the region,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Valerie A. Arkoosh said upon learning about the award. “I congratulate Dave

and Jim on the work they have done to help our administration and residents make informed decisions about staying safe during the pandemic.”

The site began in March 2020 with a simple interactive map showing the location and demographics of COVID-19 cases in the county, and as the pandemic surged it evolved into a full hub site with case maps, hospitalization data, safety net and financial resources, and general information about the pandemic. The original site had over 8 million views and continues to get an average of 10,000 hits per day, officials said.

“In addition to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GIS has also played an integral part in other county business such as elections, local business growth opportunities and general public safety,” added Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., vice chairman of the board of commissioners. “GIS data will also be critical in helping us rebuild our economy by identifying sectors, which have been hardest hit and need the most help.”

To visit the hub site residents can go to www.montcopa.org and click on “COVID-19 Data Hub” under “Coronavirus Updates.”