Insights in Response to Statewide COVID-19 Sampling in Indiana

Abstract

During 2020, the Indiana State Department of Health conducted a longitudinal study of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, to understand the number of past and current infections as well as the prevalence of disease in the State of Indiana by conducting a survey to participants as well as administering testing for exposure to SARS-COV-2. The study consisted of 3 waves of testing, each spread months apart, consisting of a random sample and a non-random sample. The non-random sample was used to ensure the sample population was representative of the state of Indiana and was used as stratum in the logistic regression model, allowing for the adjustment for nonresponse. These finding indicate that persons of non-White race and persons of Hispanic ethnicity had highest risk of exposure to the virus. Understanding the disparity in health in various racial and ethnic populations and addressing how different communities are impacted by the pandemic, as well as working with the community is paramount when attempting to mitigate a pandemic. In addition, understanding the data from the ambient pandemic when instituting measures to mitigate the spread of viruses is also extremely important for managing health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.