Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance by WHO Considerations in investigation of COVID-19 cases

Considerations in the investigation of cases and clusters of COVID-19 Interim guidance 13 March 2020 This document offers operational guidance to Member States for the rapid investigation of suspected COVID-19 cases after an alert or signal. It is to be used by local, regional, or national health authorities as considerations for investigating cases of COVID-19. This should not be considered a comprehensive guide to outbreak investigation. Detailed outbreak investigation guidance has been developed for other respiratory pathogens, including MERS-CoV and influenza. Further information on outbreak investigation for COVID-19 can be found on the OpenWHO website. This guidance may be implemented in different countries with varying resources and epidemiological patterns, and should be adapted accordingly. This document is intended to describe the specific components required to undertake an investigation. This document is informed by current knowledge of the COVID-19 outbreak and similar considerations for other respiratory pathogens, including MERS-CoV and influenza viruses. WHO will continue to update these recommendations as new information becomes available. Considerations in the investigation of COVID-19 cases The table below serves as operational guidance for time-sensitive (within first few days of notification) priority actions after the signal of a COVID-19 case/cluster. Objectives of the investigation The objectives of any investigation of a suspected COVID-19 case include: Composition, protection of and tools for the investigative team Composition Personnel with the capacity, knowledge, and authority to: • Interview persons with suspected COVID-19 and conduct contact tracing • Triage suspected COVID-19 cases and contacts for health care depending on clinical condition • Collect respiratory specimens from suspected COVID-19 cases • Recommend and implement measures to prevent further transmission • • Rapidly detect COVID-19 and any evidence of human-to-human transmission among contacts Reduce human-to-human transmission, prevent outbreaks, and delay the spread of disease Protection The COVID-19 virus is spread through contact, droplet, and fomites. To minimize risk of infection of the investigation team: • • • Optimize size of team to minimize contact with a suspected COVID-19 case Ensure all those in the investigation team are trained in IPC measures specific to COVID-19 1 Interview suspected cases and contacts over the phone, if feasible, or at a distance of more than 1 metre. Tools • • • Investigation case definition Contact Tracing • Provide sufficient and appropriate PPE 2 Gather biological specimen collection material, transport containers, viral transport media, labels, bags, coolers, and cold packs Gather copies of case investigation protocols, questionnaires, contact tracing and monitoring tools, and the national case definition Adjust national/WHO case definitions 3 for the purpose of investigation (define time, person, place) for additional case finding and contact tracing (Figure) Identify all social, familial, work, and health care worker contacts who have had contact 8 with a confirmed case from 2 days before symptom onset of the case and up to 14 days after their symptom onset. Create a line list, including demographic information, date of first and last common exposure or date of contact with the confirmed or probable case, and date of onset if fever or respiratory symptoms develop. The common exposures and type of contact with the confirmed or probable case should be thoroughly 1