Data & Statistics

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health collects information about health issues. The information is collected to monitor the general health and well-being of our citizens. These data sources are useful for program development and evaluation. The information can also identify emerging health issues and trends. Listed below are the categories of available statistics and links to other data resources.

If you have any additional questions or need more information, please contact Derel Glashower.

Respiratory Illness in Ottawa County

The weekly Respiratory Illness Surveillance Report tracks trends in flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in Ottawa County. All of these viruses can have serious effects on breathing and other organs in the body. Information in this report helps healthcare providers prepare for patient needs and helps community members make decisions to protect themselves and their families. You can also use the Respiratory Illness Tracker below to check the latest illness trends at any time.

We usually publish full reports weekly from October through May. We collect information for this report from hospitals, clinics, schools, childcare centers, and long-term care facilities across Ottawa County. Because we gather data from many different places, the numbers in the report may change as we receive updates. Even though the numbers may be updated, this report gives you a reliable picture of current flu and respiratory virus activity in the county.

The last Respiratory Illness Tracker for the season will be posted on June 5, 2026.

Communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases are reported to the Department of Public Health for surveillance and investigation to prevent their spread. The following reports capture the diseases reported each year. The reports listed here include vaccine-preventable disease, HIV, Sexual Transmitted Infections and more.

Gastrointestinal Illness Surveillance Report

As of June 2024, Ottawa County Department of Public Health publishes a report summarizing Gastrointestinal (GI) illness trends within Ottawa County. GI illness typically involves vomiting and/or diarrhea, and is often caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses – particularly norovirus.

This report can be used to inform clinical practice, healthcare planning, and policy implementation. Data included in this report are from many sources including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and child care facilities in Ottawa County. Because this report is based on combined reporting from community institutions, counts and metrics may change as data are obtained and updated. Numbers in this report may not be final, but are a good reflection of GI illness activity in the community.

Reports are normally published each week, but the publication cadence may change based on the time of the year and public health resource availability.

Overdose Death Reports

Overdose reports are published to provide a general overview of drug overdose deaths in the county. Reports include demographic analysis, substance identification, geographic distribution, key trends, contributing factors, and more.

Suicide Reports

Death by Suicide Reports provide an overview of suicide-related deaths within the county, aiming to inform public health strategies and community interventions. The report analyzes trends over time, examines demographic patterns, and identifies contributing factors to suicide deaths.

Other Reports & Resources

Data Reports

• Mosquito and Tick Surveillance Report (pdf)
• Kids Count Data

Data Resources

• AirData: Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality System Data Mart
• CDC WONDER: Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research
• Health Professional Shortage Area Data
• Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts
• Kids Count
• Medically Under-served Areas/Populations Data
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Michigan School/Preschool/Childcare Immunization & Waiver Data
• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Online Interactive Data Tables