Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance by WHO Household transmission investigation protocol | Page 43

Recruitment The first few confirmed cases of
COVID-19 in Country X, and their close
contacts, will be first few participants to
be recruited. Note: Previous FF100/FFX
studies for pandemic influenza have
recruited 300–400 cases, along with their
household contacts. Household contacts of primary cases
of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19
infection. Health worker contacts of early laboratory-
confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in
Country X in the early epidemic/pandemic
phases.
Minimum
data and
specimens to
be obtained
from
participants.   

Data collection: epidemiological data,
including clinical symptoms;
exposures, including contact with
confirmed case(s); and pre-existing
conditions.
Specimens: respiratory (and other) to
diagnose current COVID-19 infection;
and serum to inform
seroepidemiological inferences.
Note: Serum samples are mandatory to
inform early seroepidemiological
inferences, and respiratory (and other)
samples to diagnose current COVID-19
infection.


Household visit with respiratory
sample collection at Days 1, 7, 14
and 28.
Serum sample collection is needed
at Days 1 and 28, and highly
encouraged at Day 14.
Symptom diaries recorded by
household contacts from Day 0 to
Day 14 and highly encouraged until
Day 28.
Note: Serum samples are mandatory to
inform early seroepidemiological
inferences, and respiratory (and other)
samples to diagnose current
COVID-19 infection.
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
Health-care setting visit with serum sample
collection at Day 1 and Day >21.
Symptom diaries recorded by health worker
contacts from Day 0 to day 14 and highly
encouraged until Day 28.
Note: Serum samples are mandatory to inform
early seroepidemiological inferences.