A group of tech and health care organizations have launched a data platform to track and monitor how Covid-19 is affecting Chicagoans.
The program, called the Chicagoland Covid-19 Data Commons, was built by local tech organization P33, health care startup incubator MATTER, data manager Open Commons Consortium and a host of regional health care providers.
The centralized platform aims to collect data on Covid-19 cases in the Chicago region and provide a decision-making tool for local government officials. The goal is to get a better understanding of how the disease is transmitted, and when Chicagoans can return to work safely.
"Large-scale data is needed to better understand Covid-19," said MATTER CEO Steven Collins in a statement. "The Chicagoland Covid-19 Data Commons will help innovators identify technologies, processes and solutions that can help address the near- and long-term challenges."
The Data Commons initiative collects data from hospitals and nonprofits in Chicago that are serving Covid patients. Participating health systems and hospitals include Rush University Hospital, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, St. Anthony Hospital, Sinai Health System, Medical Home Network, NorthShore University Health Systems, Community Health, and Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.
The Data Commons shows that Illinois has more than 183,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and about 7,400 deaths. In Cook County, there have been more than 107,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 4,800 deaths, according to the data.
"Covid-19 has illustrated the gaps in our ability to collect and report data on the spread of Covid-19 and other pathogens in our communities," said Bala Hota, the vice president and chief analytics officer at Rush, in a statement. "We have an opportunity to build the systems now to make sure we are prepared for the future, and we view the CCC as a key part of that effort."
In addition to collecting data from health care institutions, the initiative is also aggregating data from a public app, where Chicago residents can anonymously provide data on their location and symptoms.
Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, P33 and MATTER have been working to address issues caused by the virus.
In May, MATTER was one of three local startup hubs that received a $1.55 million grant to develop and accelerate technology-based solutions for the coronavirus crisis.
And in June, P33 and the Discovery Partners Institute, a network of research and innovation hubs in the South Loop, launched TechReady Illinois, an affordable computer science education program to help address high unemployment.
