Implications of COVID Data Tracker Shutdowns on the Future of the Pandemic

As the pandemic appears to be entering a new phase with the end of the public health emergency in early May, COVID data trackers are shutting down and no longer sharing data on the number of cases or hospitalizations. This is despite approximately 500 Americans still dying each day from the disease. Experts warn that epidemiological tracking investments can't dwindle, especially as respiratory illnesses like influenza and RSV are still placing a heavy burden on some hospitals across the natio COVID data trackers were brought in to monitor numbers to inform officials, and the onset of the pandemic was the catalyst for many of these data trackers. John Hopkins University reported that their Coronavirus Resource Center will be shut down in early March, and the site was one of the first to track real-time COVID data. Even the White House relied on the site in the early days of the pandemic to learn about the outbreak that was occurring abroad. Experts emphasize that accurate data is essential for public health officials and policymakers to develop and adjust COVID policies. Yet, almost no jurisdiction is widely imposing any policies like mask-wearing or social distancing. Losing momentum on investments made in public health data may place communities in vulnerable positions. At-home tests have now made case numbers less reliable, although officials continue to encourage anonymously reporting tests to MakeMyTestCount.org – a site led by the NIH. Experts say tracking cases can still help inform public health agencies. Tracking cases is also important because it alerts officials of potential surges. There have been some notable ones like the Delta surge in the summer of 2021, which impacted many hospitals. Yet, the Omicron surge obliterated its predecessors in terms of the sheer numbers of cases. Since then, small rises in cases have all been attributed to offshoots of the variant. Experts believe that a serious surge would most likely require a completely new variant. In general, predicting COVID numbers is almost an impossible task. Experts remain optimistic that through repeated infections and vaccinations, COVID will eventually cause fewer hospitalizations and deaths than it has over the past few years.