Spokane County Case Data
Dashboard Data Overview

Updated May 19, 2023

About the Spokane County COVID-19 Data Visualization

The Spokane County COVID-19 data visualization displays COVID-19 case data for Spokane County and includes cases, hospitalizations and cases by ZIP code. It also shows demographic information for each category, including race/ethnicity, sex and age. Cases include both confirmed and probable cases. (To change the display, select from the tabs at the top of the visualization).

Race and Ethnicity Data

The race and ethnicity portion of the dashboard shows how COVID-19 is affecting different racial and ethnic groups in Spokane County. The vertical bars show the percentage of total cases. The gray reference lines show the percentage of the Spokane County population included within each race or ethnicity. For any race or ethnicity, the percent of cases may be higher or lower than the percent of that race or ethnicity in Spokane County’s total population.

Race and ethnicity data are collected from demographic information in electronic medical records, reported by healthcare providers or self-reported by individuals with COVID-19 during case investigations. However, it is important to note that approximately 40% of case records do not include race and ethnicity data as these data may not have been collected by the testing entity or may have been collected but not reported with the test results.

Notes

Data reporting

Please note that the data provided within the visualization are tentative and subject to change. Due to system delays and widespread use of at-home testing, we are not able to provide data for the number of tests administered or for positive and/or negative test results in Spokane County. Otherwise, information is current as of 12 p.m. the day reported.

Number of infections

Public health experts agree that the true number of people who have been infected with COVID-19 greatly exceeds the number of COVID-19 infections that have been laboratory confirmed. It is very difficult to know exactly how many people in Spokane County have been infected to date since most people with COVID-19 experience mild illness and at-home testing has become widely available. Results from at-home testing may not have been reported to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) or to SRHD.

Case classification

In accordance with DOH, Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) includes antigen-positive COVID-19 cases in the Spokane County Case Data dashboard as well as in reports. The inclusion of antigen-positive test results provides a more accurate picture of community transmission and helps guide efforts to respond to COVID-19 in our community. Previously, SRHD only reported positive, lab-confirmed molecular tests.

Antigen tests, often referred to as rapid tests, detect proteins that are part of the COVID-19 virus. Detection of these proteins is used to diagnose a person as COVID-19 positive. Results from antigen tests usually take about 15 minutes and can be performed outside of a laboratory setting. Individuals with a positive antigen test are reported as “probable cases” on the dashboard. Antigen testing is a vital part of the overall testing strategy in Spokane County and will aid in quickly identifying COVID-19 cases in the community.

Molecular tests look for genetic materials inside the virus to diagnose a person as COVID-19 positive. Molecular tests, which include PCR tests commonly performed in clinical settings, take more time than antigen tests to perform, but are generally more accurate at detecting the virus than antigen tests. Individuals with a positive molecular test are reported as “confirmed cases” on the dashboard.

Case Classification Definitions

  • Confirmed case: Cases with a positive molecular test
  • Probable case: Cases with a positive antigen test result
  • Not assigned yet: Cases pending confirmation of test type

Hospitalizations

Hospital admissions include Spokane County residents admitted to any hospital. Hospitalization numbers also include probable cases; please see note on case classifications for more information.

COVID-19 Cases by ZIP Code

To preserve patient privacy, results for areas where there are five (5) or fewer cases are not displayed on the ZIP code map.