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Chapter 1 - Early Detection, Response, and Surveillance of the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2024

By
Enrique M. Rabellino ,
Alexandra Smith  and
Marta C. Cohen
Edited by
Steven C. Schachter  and
Wade E. Bolton
Steven C. Schachter
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School
Wade E. Bolton
Affiliation:
VentureWell/Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx)
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Summary

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the foundational knowledge of the occurrences, events, and disease manifestations that was developed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the responses and measures that were undertaken to contain the disease. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and the impact that timely action – or, in many cases, inaction – had on the development of this pandemic crisis. This chapter explores the role of data collection and the analysis mechanisms utilized in this pandemic to monitor disease spread in different geographies. The necessity of information derived from early disease vigilance and subsequent surveillance programs is stressed. The participation of the different stakeholders in the control and management of the pandemic is discussed as a function of synchronized intervention and effectiveness. This chronological account is intended to create a roadmap for future undertakings, programs, and decision-making processes by health and governmental authorities to be conducted at the earliest phases of future pandemics.

Keywords

early detectiondisease outbreak responsesurveillancezoonosespandemic preparednessviral transmissiondiesase outbreakSARS-CoV-2pandemic countermeasures
Type
Chapter
Information
Accelerating Diagnostics in a Time of Crisis
The Response to COVID-19 and a Roadmap for Future Pandemics
 , pp. 6 - 30
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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