- #1
JT Smith
- 499
- 669
Maybe this is a dumb question, but why are there fewer reported Covid-19 cases and deaths on weekends?
Coronavirus reported cases/deaths pattern (why fewer on weekends?)
- Thread starter JT Smith
- Start date
-
- Tags
- coronavirus covid-19
Click For Summary
SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the observed trend of fewer reported Covid-19 cases and deaths on weekends, specifically in Santa Clara County, California. Participants attribute this phenomenon to reduced administrative staffing during weekends, which delays the processing of patient information. Essential personnel are present, but departments responsible for data entry and record-keeping are often closed or minimally staffed. This backlog results in lower reported numbers until the following week.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of Covid-19 reporting processes
- Familiarity with healthcare administrative operations
- Knowledge of data processing timelines in medical settings
- Basic comprehension of epidemiological data interpretation
- Research the impact of staffing levels on healthcare data reporting
- Examine the Covid-19 data entry protocols in various counties
- Analyze trends in Covid-19 reporting across different days of the week
- Explore the role of administrative staff in public health data management
Public health officials, healthcare administrators, data analysts, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of Covid-19 reporting and its implications on public health data accuracy.
- #2
berkeman
Admin
- 69,346
- 24,678
Can you post a link to the data you are looking at? I don't necessarily see that trend on my EMS Dashboard for Santa Clara County in Northern California...
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/dashboard.aspx
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/dashboard.aspx
- #3
gleem
Science Advisor
Education Advisor
- 2,728
- 2,212
I noticed it too. One thought is that during the weekend there are fewer administrative staff members to process patient info so it all piles up and takes several days for them to work through it and send it to the registry.
EDIT: Hospitals usually only have essential patient care, security, or housekeeping personnel on weekends. Regular outpatient services are closed. Non patient care departments like human resources, engineering/maintenance and especially the patient record department are closed or only on call so some things are put off until Monday.
EDIT: Hospitals usually only have essential patient care, security, or housekeeping personnel on weekends. Regular outpatient services are closed. Non patient care departments like human resources, engineering/maintenance and especially the patient record department are closed or only on call so some things are put off until Monday.
Last edited:
- #4
JT Smith
- 499
- 669
berkeman said:
It's certainly more difficult to discern that pattern in the graph you posted.
I can see it in the world daily totals posted below as well U.S. daily totals.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/worldwide-graphs/#daily-cases
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/worldwide-graphs/#daily-deaths
(from washingtonpost.com)
Last edited:
- #5
JT Smith
- 499
- 669
gleem said:
That makes sense. Thanks.
EDIT: Although if it were up to me I'd tag the incidents with the date of occurrence instead of the date the data were entered.
Last edited: