COVID-19 Tracking App: An HBAP Coronal Project

The COVID-19 tracking app was developed in response to the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus for the 2020 Shiny Contest for apps built using RStudio by Jeff Renz, Itauma Itauma, and Ken Cutt of the Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP). 

As part of HBAP, students derive insights from data and learn how to use R to perform complex data analysis. Collaboration is greatly encouraged for projects, so our group was formed. We took up the challenge to work on a COVID-19 tracking app project, connecting with each other remotely and across time zones. This project has been submitted for the 2020 Shiny Contest for apps built using RStudio.

The COVID-19 dashboard displays confirmed virus cases on a map with the ability to click on the counties in each state to view totals, a sortable data grid, and an interactive trend plot that allows users to pick the number of days to go back in time.

The Process

We used Zoom to discuss ideas and Github to make codes available to everyone thereby improving efficiency while building the app. The data was loaded via R using RODBC in an Azure SQL database. The main goal of the project was to build a COVID-19 global tracking dashboard using the Shiny app for the current pandemic. We incorporated maps and created data tables to provide information about COVID-19 cases globally, showing numbers from different areas of the world in an interactive dashboard. Cases are updated in real-time as more information becomes available. The data is obtained from the GitHub repository for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Visual Dashboard operated by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

We hope users will find the dashboard interactive and useful. We welcome suggestions for any additional features people would like to see added.

HBAP COVID-19 Shiny Dashboard Overview

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, we recommend checking the World Health Organization's website and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Stay safe and healthy.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Claire Robinson for creating the coronavirus logo and David Parkes for his tutelage using R in performing complex data analysis.

The Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP)

HBAP is a graduate program designed to enable students to leverage data analytics to drive innovation and create value. It is offered through a collaboration between Harvard Business School (HBS), the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) as a combination of interactive online coursework and in-person immersion programs. HBAP inspires students to develop successful systems to solve real-world problems, become better leaders and transform the world. More information about the HBAP program here.