The Spokane Regional Health District will no longer report COVID-19 data on weekends due to a rising caseload that has meant a growing workload for staff.

“The increase in test results has had a significant impact on the health district’s capacity to process data and provide appropriate case and contact tracing,” said Spokane County Health Officer Bob Lutz in a Friday news release announcing the change in protocol.

“By adjusting reporting requirements,” he continued, “we’re able to focus on providing individuals the information they need to either care for themselves or resume public activities.”

The decision was announced the same day Spokane County set a daily record for cases with 134 and amid a sharp rise in cases since the county moved to Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan.

The release noted that Lutz believes “the focus on daily numbers can distract from the trend data, which is more useful in determining how Spokane County is faring in slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

“We need to be looking at the trend of data over periods of time to see if our health measures are making a difference,” Lutz said.

“When I look at the past two weeks, I see we are steadily increasing in case counts. There may be some good days and some bad days, but it’s the overall trend that guides us on setting measures necessary, such as required face coverings, to keep our community healthy.”

Ted McDermott can be reached at (509) 459-5405 or at tedm@spokesman.com