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
Category: Article Summary
Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice
- 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