The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is releasing data from about 1,000 Coloradans who took a short survey designed to track symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, when people identify that they have symptoms of COVID-19, such as shortness of breath, cough or fever, the symptom tracker will now offer users text messages that help them manage their symptoms. Texts are only sent to users who consent to receive text messages.
After filling out the symptom tracker and consenting to receive text messages, users will receive text messages daily for seven days asking about their symptoms. From there, they may be connected with information on how to use telehealth to connect with medical advice, or how to access resources that can help manage mental health needs.
To date, about 1,000 Coloradans have filled out the symptom tracker. Aggregate data is available on the symptom tracker dashboard page, which is now linked on the “do you have symptoms?” webpage and at covid19.colorado.gov. There, you can see anonymized survey responses, including what symptoms people reported and the demographic characteristics of respondents.
The more that Coloradans report their symptoms using this symptom tracker, the more useful the data will be for state and local public health agencies. The tracker will provide local public health agencies with data for their geographic coverage area. This could help public health officials understand when outbreaks are occurring in given locations and, in some cases, follow up with certain individuals who may need additional support. By using symptom tracker, users consent to share this information with and receive messages from their local public health agency. Data is only shared with CDPHE and the local public health agency for responding to COVID-19.
Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.