COVID-19 Case Surveillance: Trends in Person-Level Case Data Completeness, United States, April 5–September 30, 2020

Abstract

Objectives To obtain timely and detailed data on COVID-19 cases in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses 2 data sources: (1) aggregate counts for daily situational awareness and (2) person-level data for each case (case surveillance). The objective of this study was to describe the sensitivity of case ascertainment and the completeness of person-level data received by CDC through national COVID-19 case surveillance. Methods We compared case and death counts from case surveillance data with aggregate counts received by CDC during April 5–September 30, 2020. We analyzed case surveillance data to describe geographic and temporal trends in data completeness for selected variables, including demographic characteristics, underlying medical conditions, and outcomes. Results As of November 18, 2020, national COVID-19 case surveillance data received by CDC during April 5–September 30, 2020, included 4 990 629 cases and 141 935 deaths, representing 72.7% of the volume of cases (n = 6 863 251) and 71.8% of the volume of deaths (n = 197 756) in aggregate counts. Nationally, completeness in case surveillance records was highest for age (99.9%) and sex (98.8%). Data on race/ethnicity were complete for 56.9% of cases; completeness varied by region. Data completeness for each underlying medical condition assessed was <25% and generally declined during the study period. About half of case records had complete data on hospitalization and death status. Conclusions Incompleteness in national COVID-19 case surveillance data might limit their usefulness. Streamlining and automating surveillance processes would decrease reporting burdens on jurisdictions and likely improve completeness of national COVID-19 case surveillance data.

Cannabis consumption is associated with lower COVID-19 severity among hospitalized patients: a retrospective cohort analysis

“…The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has upended the global community, infecting over 300 million people and claiming over 5 million lives in its wake (Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Situation Reports n.d. ). In case surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during January to May of 2020, 14% of patients were hospitalized, 2% required ICU (intensive care unit) admission and 5% died (Gold et al 2021 ). In the USA case surveillance reports from 2020, during the time our data was collected, found that 14% of patients required hospitalization, 2% required ICU admission and 5% of all patients died (Gold et al 2021 ).…”

“…In case surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during January to May of 2020, 14% of patients were hospitalized, 2% required ICU (intensive care unit) admission and 5% died (Gold et al 2021 ). In the USA case surveillance reports from 2020, during the time our data was collected, found that 14% of patients required hospitalization, 2% required ICU admission and 5% of all patients died (Gold et al 2021 ). While several studies have reported the detrimental effects of tobacco smoking on outcomes in patients with COVID-19(Saadatian-Elahi et al 2021 ; Patanavanich and Glantz 2020 ), little is known about these outcomes in people who use cannabis products.…”

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and long COVID in US adults during the BA.5 surge, June-July 2022

“…The degree of underestimation is likely increasing with time 4 . A few studies have examined the performance of case-based passive surveillance for SARS-CoV- 2 14,15 but a broader evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance systems in relation to current public health goals 16 is important.…”

“…The degree of underestimation is likely increasing with time 4 . A few studies have examined the performance of case-based passive surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 14,15 but a broader evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance systems in relation to current public health goals 16 is important. Similar to prior findings using the same methodology 17,18 , we estimated a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among those who were vaccinated and boosted compared with those who were fully vaccinated but not boosted and those who were unvaccinated.…”

Improving morbidity information in Portugal: Evidence from data linkage of COVID-19 cases surveillance and mortality systems

“…Indeed, incompleteness of reporting has been frequently found when assessing the data quality of health information databases before the COVID-19 pandemic [24] and associated with the surveillance of COVID-19 cases in Portugal [25] or in other countries. [26] , [27] It is widely known that high-quality data is the basis for decision making guidance, especially during a crisis such as a pandemic. [28] However, the priority of public health doctors is to track and isolate their contacts, and, in this way, the surveillance data can be collected in haste.…”