[Archived] COVID-19 Deaths by Population Characteristics Over Time

<strong>As of July 2nd, 2024 the COVID-19 Deaths by Population Characteristics Over Time dataset has been retired. This dataset is archived and will no longer update. We will be publishing a <u><a href="https://data.sfgov.org/Health-and-Social-Services/COVID-19-Deaths-by-Population-Characteristics/kv9m-37qh/about_data">cumulative deaths by population characteristics dataset</a></u> that will update moving forward.

A. SUMMARY</strong>
This dataset shows San Francisco COVID-19 deaths by population characteristics and by date. This data may not be immediately available for recently reported deaths. Data updates as more information becomes available. Because of this, death totals for previous days may increase or decrease. More recent data is less reliable.

Population characteristics are subgroups, or demographic cross-sections, like age, race, or gender. The City tracks how deaths have been distributed among different subgroups. This information can reveal trends and disparities among groups.

<strong>B. HOW THE DATASET IS CREATED</strong>
As of January 1, 2023, COVID-19 deaths are defined as persons who had COVID-19 listed as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to their death on their death certificate. This definition is in alignment with the California Department of Public Health and the national <a href = "https://preparedness.cste.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/CSTE-Revised-Classification-of-COVID-19-associated-Deaths.Final_.11.22.22.pdf">Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists</a>. Death certificates are maintained by the California Department of Public Health.

Data on the population characteristics of COVID-19 deaths are from: 
*Case reports 
*Medical records 
*Electronic lab reports 
*Death certificates 

Data are continually updated to maximize completeness of information and reporting on San Francisco COVID-19 deaths. 

To protect resident privacy, we summarize COVID-19 data by only one characteristic at a time. Data are not shown until cumulative citywide deaths reach five or more. 
 
Data notes on each population characteristic type is listed below.

<u> Race/ethnicity</u> 
* We include all race/ethnicity categories that are collected for COVID-19 cases.

<u>Gender</u>
* The City collects information on gender identity using <u><a href="https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/PoliciesProcedures/COM5_SexGenderGuidelines.pdf">these guidelines</a></u>.

<strong>C. UPDATE PROCESS</strong>
Updates automatically at 06:30 and 07:30 AM Pacific Time on Wednesday each week.

Dataset will not update on the business day following any federal holiday.

<strong>D. HOW TO USE THIS DATASET</strong>
Population estimates are only available for age groups and race/ethnicity categories. San Francisco population estimates for race/ethnicity and age groups can be found in a <a href="https://data.sfgov.org/d/cedd-86uf">view based on the San Francisco Population and Demographic Census dataset</a>. These population estimates are from the 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey (ACS). 

This dataset includes many different types of characteristics. Filter the “Characteristic Type” column to explore a topic area. Then, the “Characteristic Group” column shows each group or category within that topic area and the number of deaths on each date. 

New deaths are the count of deaths within that characteristic group on that specific date. Cumulative deaths are the running total of all San Francisco COVID-19 deaths in that characteristic group up to the date listed.

This data may not be immediately available for more recent deaths. Data updates as more information becomes available. 

To explore data on the total number of deaths, use <u><a href="https://data.sfgov.org/COVID-19/COVID-19-Deaths-Over-Time/g2di-xufg">the COVID-19 Deaths Over Time dataset</a></u>.

<strong>E. CHANGE LOG</strong> 
<UL><LI>9/11/2023 - on this date, we began using an updated definition of a COVID-19 death to align with the California Department o