Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 8, 2020

Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24-April 21, 2020

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  • The CDC COVID-19 response team reports on factors associated with spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the US. The first confirmed COVID-19 case in the US was reported on January 21, 2020. The outbreak appeared contained through February, and then accelerated rapidly in March. Factors contributing to accelerated spread included continued travel-associated importations, large gatherings, introductions into high-risk workplaces and densely populated areas, and cryptic transmission resulting from limited testing and asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread.  
  • Factors that amplified the March acceleration as well as mitigation strategies that were implemented can inform public health decisions as preparing for potential re-emergences. 

Schuchat. (May 8, 2020). Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24-April 21, 2020. MMWR. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6918e2