Data Mapping

The Columbia County Department of Health uses data mapping to communicate the risk of potential public health threats to the community so they are better equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions. This aligns with our mission to protect, promote and preserve the health and well-being of Columbia County, NY residents.

In collaboration with the Columbia County Planning Department, the Opioid Overdose Dashboard shows fatal and non-fatal overdoses that have occurred in Columbia County beginning in August, 2018. The goal of the dashboard is to ensure that Columbia County residents understand the threat that opioid drugs pose in our community and recognize that overdoses and overdose deaths affect a wide range of ages, people of any gender identity, and all racial and ethnic groups. The dashboard is updated every other week and provides information about overdoses broken down by age, gender, and suspected drug. The data comes from OD Maps, a software that’s been in use in Columbia County since 2018 that allows first responders to submit basic information when they respond to an overdose. The purpose of which is to identify spikes in overdose numbers in real-time. This allows first responders and health and human services agencies to mobilize additional resources to respond to increases in overdoses. It is important to note that the data in the dashboard reflects only the number of known overdoses in Columbia County. The overdoses occurring in private residences with Narcan (opioid overdose reversal medication) administered by a friend or family member, but not reported, would not be captured.

The Respiratory Illness Tracker shows laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19, influenza and RSV in Columbia County as reported through the Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System during the 2023-2024 respiratory illness season. The goal of this tracker is to ensure that Columbia County residents understand the risk of respiratory illnesses that are present and may be spreading throughout the community so they can take proper precautions. It is important to note that the tracker shows only laboratory confirmed cases and not home tests. Laboratory confirmed cases of RSV did not become reportable by NYSDOH until 12/20/23 so any cases prior to that date are not shown.