Coronavirus: 1 In 200 Essex County Residents Experience Symptoms

SALEM, MA — A Facebook data project shows that 0.5 percent, or one-in-200, Essex County residents reported experiencing symptoms of the new coronavirus on April 12.

The map, which was developed in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University and is based on surveys completed by more than a million Facebook users, will be updated daily. Facebook said the map can be used to help government and health officials prepare for surges and determine where to deploy medical equipment, including ventilators, face masks and personal protective equipment.

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The map includes symptom report rates on April 12 for all 14 Massachusetts counties:

• Barnstable: 0.33%
• Berkshire: 0.67%
• Bristol: 0.59%
• Dukes: Not enough responses
• Essex: 0.50%
• Franklin: 0.60%
• Hampden: 1.14%
• Hampshire: 0.51%
• Middlesex: 0.85%
• Nantucket: Not enough responses
• Norfolk: 0.73%
• Plymouth: 0.70%
• Suffolk: 0.44%
• Worcester: 0.8%

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

• Massachusetts Coronavirus Deaths Eclipse Flu, Diabetes Deaths
• MA Health Care System Will Not Be Overwhelmed: Baker
• MA Is Now A Coronavirus 'Hot Spot': Here's What That Means
• MA Self-Employed, Gig Economy Workers Can Now File For Unemployment Benefits

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).