Scientists, researchers and members of the public can now access the most current COVID-19 data and model future scenarios as a part of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new COVID Assessment Tool, released Thursday.
The California COVID Assessment Tool, or CalCAT, includes “Nowcasts,” which is the estimated spread rate of COVID-19, short-term forecasts and potential scenarios for the next few months under different conditions, according to a press release. The press release adds that the goal of CalCAT is to allow Californians to better understand the impact of COVID-19.
Newsom also said the state’s COVID-19 data will be provided on California’s open data portal, and will be publicly accessible and machine-readable, provided it does not violate patients’ privacy.
“California is home to some of the world’s most accomplished researchers, technologists, scientists, acclaimed universities, and leading technology companies,” Newsom said in the press release. “Today, I am opening more California data for them to help inform our efforts in combating this disease.”
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