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Before we can talk about the details of COVID-19 reporting, we first must briefly discuss the science of epidemiology. The CDC defines epidemiology as "the method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations."[1] As we'll soon learn, finding those causes depends on quality data and reporting.
Epidemiology can broadly be split into two categories: descriptive epidemiology and analytical epidemiology. Descriptive epidemiology involves studies and other activities that deal with geographical comparisons and temporal trend descriptions of disease. As such, the collection and use of quality incidence data is vital to developing hypotheses.[2] Analytical epidemiology allows for the testing of those hypotheses using both experimental and observational studies, as well as control groups. Similarly, the collection and use of quality experimental and observational data is vital for proving or disproving hypotheses.[3] In both cases, proper reporting of public health data is critical to the success of epidemiologists' response to outbreaks and pandemics, as well as the credibility of their research.[4][5][6] This includes point-of-care and at-home testing results, which are at times more difficult to capture.[6]
The proper reporting of COVID-19 case data is no exception. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken a standardized approach to collecting reports on individuals with "lab-confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19,"[7][8] noting that as of April 21, 2021, all state, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions were onboard with electronic laboratory reporting to the CDC.[9] Their COVID-19 Surveillance Worksheet (formerly Case Report Form) is designed to collect a wide variety of information about a COVID-19 case, including patient demographics, epidemiological characteristics, exposure and contact history, clinical diagnosis, treatment procedures, and vaccination history. Currently, the CDC is asking healthcare providers and laboratories that are operating as testing sites to "report data for all diagnostic and screening testing completed, which includes molecular, antigen, and antibody testing, for each individual tested" on a daily basis, "within 24 hours of test completion."[10] Local, state, tribal, and territorial public health departments are then asked to submit case reports etc. to the CDC. Electronic reporting using the CDC's system is preferred, but they have a protocol for those areas unable to submit electronically. Recognizing the disparate reporting mechanisms across various state health departments and the problems this causes, particularly during an epidemic, funding efforts are under way to assist the CDC—as well as state, local, and tribal governments—better report disease information through a modernized, centralized public health data management platform.[6][11]
Elsewhere, Canada has similar reporting expectations to the U.S. CDC, with their own case report form and electronic data submission process through the Public Health Agency of Canada.[12] And in the European Union, member countries and the U.K. are asked to report through the Early Warning and Response System, with "additional enhanced surveillance ... established through The European Surveillance System - TESSy."[13]
References
- ↑ "What is Epidemiology?". Teacher Roadmap. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 17 June 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/careerpaths/k12teacherroadmap/epidemiology.html. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ↑ Naito, M. (2014). "Utilization and application of public health data in descriptive epidemiology". Journal of Epidemiology 24 (6): 435–6. doi:10.2188/jea.je20140182. PMC PMC4213216. PMID 25327184. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4213216.
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) (PDF). Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice (3rd ed.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/SS1978.pdf. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ Hamilton, J.J.; Hopkins, R.S. (2019). "Chapter 5: Using Technologies for Data Collection and Management". In Rasmussen, S.A.; Goodman, R.A.. The CDC Field Epidemiology Manual (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 71–104. ISBN 9780190933692.
- ↑ von Elm, E.; Altman, D.G.; Egger, M. et al. (2007). "The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: Guidelines for reporting observational studies". PLoS Medicine 4 (10): e296. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040296. PMC PMC2020495. PMID 17941714. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2020495.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Crear-Perry, J. (5 November 2020). "The hidden public health hazard of rapid Covid-19 tests". STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2020/11/05/rapid-covid-19-tests-hidden-public-health-hazard/. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1 May 2020). "Instructions for Completing the Human Infection with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Case Report Form" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID-19-Persons-Under-Investigation-and-Case-Report-Form-Instructions.pdf. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (5 May 2020). "Information for Health Departments on Reporting Cases of COVID-19". Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/reporting-pui.html. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (20 April 2021). "COVID-19 Electronic Laboratory Reporting Implementation by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/electronic-reporting-map.html. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (26 January 2021). "How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/reporting-lab-data.html. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (16 November 2020). "Centralized National Reporting Mechanism for COVID-19 Laboratory Tests Results and Other Reportable Conditions, United States". SAM.gov. https://sam.gov/opp/f0fc727c642640ed829d98fc880d4713/view. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ↑ Government of Canada (19 March 2021). "National surveillance for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)". Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/interim-guidance-surveillance-human-infection.html. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ↑ European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (29 May 2020). "EU level surveillance of COVID19". COVID-19 Portal. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/surveillance. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
