Policy recommendation

COVID-19 Dashboards should aid the understanding of outbreak clusters, highlight super spreading events and facilitate mitigation strategies.

Supporting evidence

The recommendation is derived from the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea, which was exacerbated by super spreading events in confined settings, including a hospital, a church and a gym. And informed by the investigation of cases of COVID-19 in Singapore that identified seven clusters in which presymptomatic transmission was the most likely explanation for the occurrence of secondary cases.

See Case information  on the Dashboard of the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak in Singapore https://co.vid19.sg/singapore/

This dashboard allows for detailed case analysis: https://co.vid19.sg/singapore/cases/search

Dashboards can aid the identification of outbreak clusters. A minimum data set per case is required that can be entered at the time of testing. Clusters can be identified and the transmission dynamics studied and where applicable mitigation strategies deployed.

Evidence uncertainties

The dashboard concept requires wider deployment and testing to assess their relevance and impact. We recommend a region of 3 to  5 million people is selected for this initial test phase. There are issues over confidentiality with detailed information that need to be accounted for.

Reference

Shim E, Tariq A, Choi W, Lee Y, Chowell G. Transmission potential and severity of COVID-19 in South Korea. Int J Infect Dis. 2020;93:339‐344. DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.031

Wei WE, Li Z, Chiew CJ, Yong SE, Toh MP, Lee VJ. Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 — Singapore, January 23–March 16, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:411–415. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6914e1