Rapid Online Data Collection and Reporting to Local Health Departments during the Pandemic: The COVID-19 Outbreak Public Evaluation (COPE) Initiative SARS-CoV-2 Case Surveys

Abstract

Objectives: To develop and implement a pilot online data collection tool to help local health departments with their COVID-19 pandemic response efforts and inform health department actions. Design: The COVID-19 Outbreak Public Evaluation (COPE) was an online survey and was distributed by participating sites to individuals who recently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Surveys recorded participant demographics and assessed recent infection risk behaviors (eg, mask use, air travel), vaccination status, sleep and exercise habits, social behaviors and beliefs, and physical and mental health. Setting: Seven health departments participated in the initiative, which took place during May 1 to September 30, 2022. Identical items were administered to demographically representative samples of adults nationally in the United States within a similar timeframe. Participants: A total of 38 555 participants completed surveys. Responses from participants with recent SARS-CoV-2 infections were compared with respondents from the national surveys who did not have evidence or awareness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infections. Main outcome measure: To implement of a process that allows health departments to receive data from local cases and compare this information to national controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Fifty-four biweekly reports were provided to public health departments between May and September 2022. Information and comparisons within the reports were updated in response to evolving public health priorities for the pandemic response. The initiative helped to guide public health response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the receptiveness by local health departments and participants provides evidence to support this data collection and reporting model as a component of the public health response to future emergencies. Conclusion: This project demonstrates the feasibility of a centralized, rapid, and adaptive data collection system for local health departments and provides evidence to advocate for data collection methods to help guide local health departments to respond in a timely and effective manner to future public health emergencies.