The development of a COVID-19 dashboard, known as the “Coronawatch” dashboard, for Suffolk County Council was crucial for managing public health data during the pandemic, enabling local authorities to make informed decisions based on real-time data. The project aimed to transition from traditional data collection methods to a more efficient, automated system that could handle the increasing complexity and volume of data.
Suffolk County Council faced significant challenges in data management, relying heavily on Excel-based datasets for data collection and analysis. As the pandemic progressed, the council had to manage over 30 data sources, which made the existing manual processes unsustainable.
The project involved:
The council collaborated with IJYI to develop the Coronawatch dashboard using Microsoft PowerBI. Key steps in the project included a digital strategy to enhance data accessibility and insight delivery for both the public and key stakeholders.
The project involved automating the download and processing of data from Public Health England and other sources, significantly reducing manual input and human error. The service infrastructure was migrated to a secure cloud-based solution, improving stability and resilience.
Data sources were stored in a data lake, facilitating better data management and quicker refresh performance. By May 2021, the council had achieved full automation for most reporting processes, making it the only local authority in the UK to automate the download of large files from PHE.
Benefits for the client:
The implementation of the Coronawatch dashboard provided several key benefits to Suffolk County Council.
Enhanced Data Insight: The dashboard allowed for quicker access to critical COVID-19 data, enabling timely decision-making.
Increased Efficiency: Automation significantly decreased the need for manual data entry, allowing staff to focus on more strategic tasks.
Improved Data Accuracy: Storing data in a data lake minimized human error, leading to more reliable data analysis.
Recognition and Leadership: The council’s innovative approach led to a national trial for the dashboard concept and a nomination for the ‘Best Use of Data’ at the LARIA Research Impact Awards 2021.
The partnership with IJYI provided the expertise needed to scale the Coronawatch solution, setting a precedent for other councils to follow. The project not only addressed immediate public health data needs during the pandemic but also established a framework for future data management and analysis within local government.