Representativeness of a national, probability-based panel survey of COVID-19 isolation practices-United States, 2020-2022

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received surveillance data on how many people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, but there was little information about what individuals did to mitigate transmission. To fill the information gap, we conducted an online, probability-based survey among a nationally representative panel of adults living in the United States to better understand the behaviors of individuals following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. Given the low response rates commonly associated with panel surveys, we assessed how well the survey data aligned with CDC surveillance data from March, 2020 to March, 2022. We used CDC surveillance data to calculate monthly aggregated COVID-19 case counts and compared these to monthly COVID-19 case counts captured by our survey during the same period. We found high correlation between our overall survey data estimates and monthly case counts reported to the CDC during the analytic period (r: +0.94; p < 0.05). When stratified according to demographic characteristics, correlations remained high. These correlations strengthened our confidence that the panel survey participants were reflective of the cases reported to CDC and demonstrated the potential value of panel surveys to inform decision making.

Isolation and Quarantine for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the United States, 2020-2022

BACKGROUND

Public health programs varied in ability to reach people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their contacts to encourage separation from others. For both adult case patients with COVID-19 and their contacts, we estimated the impact of contact tracing activities on separation behaviors from January 2020 until March 2022.

METHODS

We used a probability-based panel survey of a nationally representative sample to gather data for estimates and comparisons.

RESULTS

An estimated 64 255 351 adults reported a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test result; 79.6% isolated for ≥5 days, 60.2% isolated for ≥10 days, and 79.2% self-notified contacts. A total of, 24 057 139 (37.7%) completed a case investigation, and 46.2% of them reported contacts to health officials. More adults who completed a case investigation isolated than those who did not complete a case investigation (≥5 days, 82.6% vs 78.2%, respectively; ≥10 days, 69.8% vs 54.8%; both P < .05). A total of 84 946 636 adults were contacts of a COVID-19 case patient. Of these, 73.1% learned of their exposure directly from a case patient; 49.4% quarantined for ≥5 days, 18.7% quarantined for ≥14 days, and 13.5% completed a contact tracing call. More quarantined among those who completed a contact tracing call than among those who did not complete a tracing call (≥5 days, 61.2% vs 48.5%, respectively; ≥14 days, 25.2% vs 18.0%; both P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Engagement in contact tracing was positively correlated with isolation and quarantine. However, most adults with COVID-19 isolated and self-notified contacts regardless of whether the public health workforce was able to reach them. Identifying and reaching contacts was challenging and limited the ability to promote quarantining, and testing.

Social contact patterns among employees in 3 U.S. companies during early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, April to June 2020

We measured contact patterns using online diaries for 304 employees of 3 U.S. companies working remotely. The median number of daily contacts was 2 (IQR 1-4); majority were conversation (55 %), occurred at home (64 %) and lasted >4 h (38 %). These data are crucial for modeling outbreak control among the workforces.

Influenza-negative influenza-like illness (fnILI) Z-score as a proxy for incidence and mortality of COVID-19

Although direct detection of SARS-CoV2 in symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals is the ideal epidemiological tool for determining the burden of disease, the lack of availability of testing can preclude its wider implementation as a robust surveillance system. We correlated the use of the derivative influenza-negative influenza-like illness (fnILI) z-score from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a proxy for incident cases and disease-specific deaths. For every unit increase of fnILI z-score, the number of cases increased by 376.5 (95% CI [202.5, 550.5]) and number of deaths increased by 10.2 (95% CI [5.4, 15.0]). FnILI data may serve as an accurate outcome measurement to track the spread of COVID-19 infection and disease, and allow for informed and timely decision-making on public health interventions.

Mycobacterium bovis genotypes in Northern Ireland: herd-level surveillance (2003 to 2008)

Surveillance genotyping (variable number tandem repeat profiling and spoligotyping) of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from culture-confirmed bovine tuberculosis (TB)-affected herds in Northern Ireland is presented for the years 2003 to 2008 inclusive. A total of 175 M bovis genotypes were identified in 8630 isolates from 6609 herds. On average, 73 genotypes were identified each year, with 29 genotypes present in all six years. Highly significant differences (P<0.0001) were observed between the relative frequency of some genotypes in the years 2003 to 2008. The spatial distribution of M bovis genotypes was not random (P<0.0001). Significant geographical localisation of M bovis genotypes was evident, suggesting that sources tended to be local. Despite regions being dominated by geographically localised genotypes, substantial and exploitable local diversity was still evident. Genotypes were also translocated significant distances from their normal geographical location.