Optimizing and Automating Aggregation and Visualization of COVID-19 Data in Metro Manila, Philippines, Through the Use of a Free Dashboard Software: A Case Study

In response to an increased demand for data, staff from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health Metro Manila developed an internal dashboard to automate the aggregation and visualization of COVID-19 data from multiple sources, thereby decreasing the time taken to complete the process by approximately 35 minutes, or more than half the duration of the original workflow. Time, financial, and human resource constraints were overcome with staff commitment and communication, and the approach was scaled to develop dashboards for other surveillance systems. Dashboards are useful for aggregation and visualization of data at the subnational level, but they are not replacements for critical review and effective communication of data. Further studies on dashboard development will help establish a framework and promote a new standard for public health organizations at the subnational level.