The effect of laboratory testing on COVID-19 monitoring indicators: an analysis of the 50 countries with the highest number of cases.

Pilecco, Flávia Bulegon; Coelho, Carolina Gomes; Fernandes, Qeren Hapuk Rodrigues Ferreira; Silveira, Ismael Henrique; Pescarini, Júlia Moreira; Ortelan, Naiá; Gabrielli, Ligia; Aquino, Estela ML; Barreto, Maurício Lima; (2020) The effect of laboratory testing on COVID-19 monitoring indicators: an analysis of the 50 countries with the highest number of cases. Epidemiologia e servicos de saude : revista do Sistema Unico de Saude do Brasil, 30 (2). e2020722-. ISSN 1679-4974 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-49742021000200002

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse how testing the population influences the health indicators used to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in the 50 countries with the highest number of diagnosed cases. METHODS: This was an ecological study using secondary data retrieved on 8/19/2020. Cumulative incidence, mortality rate, case-fatality rate, and proportion of positive tests were calculated. The data were described and presented graphically, with their respective Spearman Correlation Coefficients. RESULTS: The testing rate varied enormously between countries. Cumulative incidence and the proportion of positive tests were correlated with the number of tests, while the mortality rate and case-fatality rate showed low correlation with this indicator. CONCLUSION: Most countries do not test enough to ensure adequate monitoring of the pandemic, and this is reflected in the quality of the indicators. Expanding the number of tests is essential, but it needs to be accompanied by other measures, such as isolation of diagnosed cases and contact tracing.

Additional Information

Item Type	Article
Faculty and Department	Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Research Centre	Covid-19 Research
PubMed ID	34008747
Elements ID	160179