Coronavirus-Disease 19 (COVID-19) & SARS-CoV-2 Testing

In this video, Dr. Alison Van Dyke with the Surveillance Research Program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) discusses COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 testing (both diagnostic viral and serologic antibody), and test interpretation with a focus on the pandemic in the United States. Dr. Van Dyke compares influenza and COVID-19 and covers multiple concepts that impact the dynamics of the pandemic on a population scale, including herd immunity, basic reproductive number, and health disparities by racial and ethnic subpopulation. The talk concludes by reinforcing critical public health take home points about COVID-19 and recommended actions based on SARS-CoV-2 test results by test type with an emphasis on slowing the rate of transmission through preventive measures as set forth in guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).