GIS for Coronavirus Planning and Response

Infectious disease experts have predicted a pandemic, saying it was not a question of if but when. Drawing on experiences with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza (H5N1), and novel influenza A (H1N1), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), urged nations and local governments to prepare pandemic response plans. Many ministries of health and subnational departments of health around the world have activated those plans in response to coronavirus and are sharing data as required by the updated International Health Regulations.Esri's work with health organizations and government leaders has proven location intelligence from geographic information system (GIS) technology and data to be critical for the following:Assessing risk and evaluating threatsMonitoring and tracking outbreaksMaintaining situational awarenessEnsuring resource allocationNotifying agencies and communitiesThe current coronavirus disease pandemic presents an opportunity to build on the experience and readiness of Esri's existing global user community in health and human services. Through real-time maps, apps, and dashboards, GIS will also facilitate a seamless flow of relevant data as a component of the response from local to global levels. A compelling case exists for building on top of the public health GIS foundation that is already in place both in the United States and around the world.After reading this paper, leadership and senior staff should understand the following:The necessity to apply location intelligence to public health processes in coronavirus responseHow GIS can support immediate and long-term actionWhat resources Esri provides its customers