“Countries should focus on reporting symptomatic cases, that is, cases that have been tested for symptoms compatible with COVID-19,” and there is a need to integrate controls with cases of influenza. Furthermore, “the testing policies were different between countries, thus affecting the comparability of the data”. This is what an ECDC document indicates to encourage European countries to move from emergency surveillance to sustainable and integrated monitoring systems. “Current influenza surveillance systems are not sufficiently sensitive and representative for joint surveillance of COVID- 19 “.
The ECDC document indicates that “if it is not possible to perform a complete test of all those presenting symptoms, a representative subset of symptomatic cases should be tested, preferably by PCR” (molecular test).
Experts from the European Center for Disease Control also recommend sequencing a representative subset of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples. “Genomic surveillance of representative samples should be associated with targeted full sampling in special environments or populations,” the paper reads. Finally, it is advisable to monitor the efficacy of the vaccine through ad hoc studies, possibly integrated into surveillance systems.
“Countries should continue monitoring mortality and consider sero-epidemiological investigations between complementary systems that will help achieve key surveillance goals.”
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