Correlations and Timeliness of COVID-19 Surveillance Data Sources and Indicators ― United States, October 1, 2020–March 22, 2023.
Scobie HM, Panaggio M, Binder AM, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:529–535.
http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7219e2
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
COVID-19 monitoring will remain a public health priority after the U.S. public health emergency declaration expires on May 11, 2023.
What is added by this report?
Assessment of available surveillance indicators found that COVID-19 hospital admission levels were concordant with COVID-19 Community Levels. COVID-19–associated hospital admission rates lagged 1 day behind case rates and 4 days behind percentages of COVID-19 emergency department visits and positive SARS-CoV-2 test results. National Vital Statistics System trends in the percentage of COVID-19 deaths strongly correlated with, and were 13 days timelier, than aggregate death count data.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Rates of COVID-19–associated hospital admission and the percentages of positive test results, COVID-19 emergency department visits, and COVID-19 deaths are suitable and timely indicators of trends in COVID-19 activity and severity.”