Dozens of states end daily COVID data reports—experts fear hidden outbreaks

Less than 12,000 patients are hospitalized with the virus across the country – a stark difference from the early months of 2021, when 10 times that amount were hospitalized nationwide.

After 16 months of coronavirus restrictions and demands – mask warrants, social distancing, an extended state of emergency – almost every jurisdiction in the country has now decided to relax them or, for some, lift them altogether. The move comes as many communities try to begin to regain some sense of normalcy ahead of the pandemic, after a 95% drop in the number of cases since the start of the year, when infections peaked at over 250,000. cases per day.

According to an ABC News survey of state COVID-19 information dashboards, more than two dozen states have now opted out of offering daily coronavirus statistical updates or are planning to end them. daily reports in the coming weeks, a choice that has been of great concern to health experts as the more virulent delta variant spreads.

“Without real-time reports, we are essentially flying blindly as to the status of the pandemic. Lack of timely surveillance data will create blind spots and potentially a false sense of security as we fight vaccination and the rise of new variants, ”said Dr. John Brownstein, director of innovation at Boston Children’s Hospital and contributor to ABC News.

The importance of daily data cannot be overstated, said Beth Blauer, executive director of the Centers for Civic Impact at Johns Hopkins University, in a post earlier this month. Data provided by the states has “led to major policy decisions across all levels of government and influenced the behavior and decisions of many Americans.”

ARTICLE: JENNIFER BARRETO-LEYVA

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC

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Jennifer Barreto-Leyva

Jennifer is a CEO, executive producer, host of "Politics in skirts," and a former correspondent for Fox News. She is a lawyer, journalist, and TV and radio host.

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