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Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde
versión impresa ISSN 1679-4974versión On-line ISSN 2237-9622
Resumen
PILECCO, Flávia Bulegon et al. The effect of laboratory testing on COVID-19 monitoring indicators: an analysis of the 50 countries with the highest number of cases. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2021, vol.30, n.2, e2020722. Epub 30-Abr-2021. ISSN 1679-4974. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742021000200002.
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.
Palabras clave : Coronavirus Infections; Health Status Indicators; Testing Strategies; Incidence; Mortality; SARS-CoV-2.