UW researchers, WCHQ collaborate to identify where more people are at risk of severe COVID-19

University of Wisconsin researchers and the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality are providing reports for health officials on which zip codes in Wisconsin are at higher risk of having more severe COVID-19 cases that might require hospitalization.

The Health Innovation Program at UW used electronic health record data provided by more than 20 health systems through the collaborative. The program has been studying the data to see how to improve healthcare in Wisconsin.

Jessica Bonham-Werling, director of Neighborhood Health Partnership Program, organized a team to develop the reports, which identify zip codes in each county with a high number of individuals with risk factors for severe illness.

“Local decision makers in government and health systems are under unbelievable pressure and data is of critical importance to them to help them anticipate where resources will be needed most over the weeks and potentially months ahead,” she said in a statement.

The reports are available for local public health officials, and there are plans to release some of the data publicly soon, according to the statement.

Wisconsin Health News is removing the password on all stories related to the coronavirus. For the latest developments follow us on Twitter at @wihealthnews or check out our website. For complete healthcare coverage, sign up for a free trial to our daily email newsletter.