Short Wave How An Early Plan To Spot The Virus Fell Weeks Behind
May 1, 2020
Lauren Sommer, an NPR science correspondent, discusses the government's early plan to use flu surveillance for detecting coronavirus cases. She reveals how these efforts, initiated in mid-February, faced significant delays that cost valuable time in combating the virus. Sommer explores missed opportunities in COVID-19 testing and highlights challenges cities faced in adopting effective surveillance. She also sheds light on strategies for implementing sentinel testing in at-risk communities, emphasizing the need for early detection to better prepare for future outbreaks.
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LA Hospital Concerns
- Los Angeles County officials initially struggled to find a hospital willing to participate in coronavirus surveillance testing.
- One hospital declined due to concerns about reputational damage if linked to early cases.
LA Testing Breakthrough
- L.A. County USC Medical Center pushed ahead with testing despite resistance over limited test availability.
- Their results revealed a higher-than-expected positivity rate, prompting action.
Shifting Strategies
- Early surveillance data revealing undetected community spread prompted a shift in L.A.'s response.
- It moved from containment to broader mitigation measures like stay-at-home orders.