South Dakota

As we've dug into the data, we're trying to make sense of this gap between the sums of the Trends chart and the Total provided on the SD Overview tab. Our team is wondering about the factors in that gap. Is it just that the topline has antigens and the PCR Total tests does not? Or are there other factors we can't see?

If it's the former, do you think it would be possible to post topline PCR and antigen numbers somewhere (or in a downloadable file) that would allow us to keep the historical time series matched up with what we can collect going forward?

Yes that is correct, I will see what I can do.

SD reached out to us about their data entry error and data reporting by other states.

The data has been updated today there was an error yesterday we found that has been fixed on the new positivity rate graph that holds the historical pcr test data.Also wanted to check are there any differences among states and the days data gets reported? Are any states not updating daily?

We asked for testing specimens data set.

I have brought it up with the staff and I do have something in the works. Unfortunately though they do want this on lower priority just due to the number of daily cases we are dealing with currently. Will let you know when this gets updated, I am hoping we can get something pushed out in a few weeks.

Regarding the low rate of unknowns on race/ethnicity, we'd love to have more granular info about the practices that have helped SD?

We do ongoing training with our DIS and continual data quality monitoring to encourage proper entry into all fields. Additionally, as our ELR reports get set up there is a thorough amount of validating data entry during the onboarding process.

As you continue to update your state dashboard, are you planning to begin releasing data on cases/deaths linked to LTCs & nursing homes?

Yes, that is in draft form currently just cases by industry.

Does the figure for "total negative cases" refer to the number of people who have tested negative for the virus, or to the number of lab specimens that have returned a negative result?

Currently our negative cases is person specific. Although we plan to incorporate all tests as we start to report positivity test rate ratio, also in draft.

When will SD begin reporting COVID-19 deaths broken out by race and ethnicity?

Our data and informatics team is currently working on this enhancement.

This will be rolling out in the next few weeks, we do not have a set date yet but it is being developed.

Can you share any insight as to what accounts for the 10% "unknowns" being reported in SD?

Our team is making every effort when following up with positive cases to ensure this information is collected.

Will you be posting antibody test numbers on your state COVID dashboard?

Yes

If you are already tracking antibody tests, are you combining PCR and antibody test #s in your total test # reporting?

We plan to list PCR and antibody test results separately on our website.