START CONTRIBUTES TO THE COVID-19 DAILY LITERATURE SITUATION REPORT

As more data became available about the novel COVID-19, a wealth of new scientific literature is available every day. In Washington State, public health officials navigated the state’s recovery plan by relying on this data to make evidence-based decisions.

The Washington State Department of Health engaged the UW Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness and the START Center to conduct a daily scientific literature review related to COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 Literature Situation Report was researched, compiled, and edited daily by graduate students and faculty in the University of Washington School of Public Health and School of Medicine. The daily report included the 10 – 15 articles deemed to have the highest public health relevance, along with additional links to related resources and commentaries. A daily report was produced from May 1, 2020 to June 15, 2021, producing a total of 248 daily reports with summaries of 3,063 articles as of May 13, 2021. The Report was disseminated to over 5,600 subscribers daily. The team also produced 11 in-depth reports and maintained updated synthesis summaries on four priority topic areas. As the pandemic enters its next phase, the resources dedicated to supporting the Report will be directed toward other important priorities.

START research assistants past and present contributed to this daily effort: Diana Tordoff MPH, START research assistant from September 2016 – August 2018, Dylan Green MPH, START research assistant from January 2017 – December 2019, and Jessie Seiler MPH, START research assistant from June 2019 – present.

When asked why she decided to contribute to the Daily Report, Jessie said, “I wanted to join the review team because I feel an obligation to use my epidemiological skills in whatever ways I can during the pandemic. Providing the best and most up-to-date information to the broadest audience possible is a huge part of that obligation. It’s also a privilege to be able to work closely with such a dedicated, thoughtful, and astute team.”

Access all past Daily Literature Situation Reports here.