Outbreak Investigation
An outbreak of any disease should be carefully investigated to prevent its further spread. An outbreak investigation is a set of procedures to determine the cause of the disease, the mode of its spread, and the persons affected by the outbreak (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), such investigation commences with the establishment of the existence of an outbreak and confirmation that the examined cases are related to the same cause (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). After verifying the diagnosis, clinical criteria for disease diagnosis are constructed, and additional cases are sought out to inform the criteria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Thus, an outbreak investigation revolves primarily around gathering and interpreting data on an outbreak.
The later stages of an investigation include re-evaluating the collected data and its initial assessment. Thus, the investigation team performs descriptive epidemiology with a hypothesis presented and later evaluated epidemiologically, re-evaluated, and compared with laboratory and environmental studies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). As a clear hypothesis is developed, the investigation team can recommend control and prevention measures to address the outbreak and communicate the findings to the public (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Overall, an outbreak investigation is a lengthy process set to determine the cause of an outbreak, how the infection spreads, and what preventative measures should be instituted to curb the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 Outbreak Investigation
The COVID-19 infection has quickly spread worldwide and was qualified as a pandemic. The novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, commonly referred to as COVID-19, was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) following an outbreak in China in December 2019 (Habte & Yadeta, 2020). In the United States of America, the total number of cases is estimated at over 73 million, with nearly 877 thousand deaths recorded as of January 2022 (“COVID data tracker,” 2022). In New York City, the current trend shows the decline of cases of COVID-19 being recorded. Thus, the total number of cases recorded in January 2020 is estimated at 22,375, with fewer than 90 deaths attributed to the disease (NYC Health, 2022a). In the Bronx, the current situation with COVID-19 is classified as severe. For example, in Fordham and University Heights, out of the population of 77,811, 21,001 were diagnosed with COVID-19, with 368 recorded deaths (NYC Health, 2022b). Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the neighborhoods of New York City, including the Bronx borough.
Epidemiological Constants of COVID-19
Three epidemiological constants should be considered when discussing infectious illnesses. The time constant illustrates the magnitude of the epidemic over time and provides data on the patterns of its spread (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). For example, data on the spread of COVID-19 in the United States shows that in January 2022, new cases rose disproportionately, indicating that the latest strain of the coronavirus is highly infectious (“COVID data tracker: Daily and total trends,” 2022). The place constant illustrates the geographical spread of the disease. In the United States, the state of New York, with New York City and its boroughs, particularly the Bronx borough, has been substantially affected (NYC Health, 2022a; NYC Health, 2022b). Finally, the person constant accounts for the primary characteristics of the people that have contracted COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), most persons affected by coronavirus are white, non-Hispanic, and are aged 18 to 49. Overall, the epidemiological constants help track the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze the patterns of its spread.
COVID-19 Preventative Measures
The United States federal government and the local New York City government have installed preventative measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures include physical distancing, working and studying from home, masks, and vaccinations (NYC Health, 2021). Citizens of New York are also advised to get tested for COVID-19 if showing symptoms and to self-isolate at home if tested positive (NYC Health, 2021). Overall, appropriate measures are set in place across the country.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Lesson 6: Investigating an Outbreak. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). COVID-19 case surveillance public use data with geography data profile. Web.
COVID data tracker. (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
COVID data tracker: Daily and total trends. (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Habte, A. D., & Yadeta, W. (2020). Outbreak investigation steps in the case of 2019 novel coronavirus infection, a review.Annals of Antivirals and Antiretrovirals, 4(1), 1–7. Web.
NYC Health. (2022a). COVID-19: Latest data. Web.
NYC Health. (2022b). COVID-19 data: Neighborhood profiles. Web.
NYC Health. (2021, December). COVID-19: Prevention and groups at higher risk. Web.