Integration of publicly available case-based data for real-time coronavirus disease 2019 risk assessment, Japan

Authors

  • Kota Ninomiya Data Management Team, The National COVID-19 Cluster Taskforce, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; National Institute of Public Health, Saitama, Japan
  • Mariko Kanamori Data Management Team, The National COVID-19 Cluster Taskforce, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
  • Naomi Ikeda Data Management Team, The National COVID-19 Cluster Taskforce, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan; Jumonji University, Saitama, Japan
  • Kazuaki Jindai Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Healthcare Epidemiology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
  • Yura K Ko Center for Surveillance, Immunization and Epidemiologic Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
  • Kanako Otani Center for Surveillance, Immunization and Epidemiologic Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
  • Yuki Furuse Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
  • Hiroki Akaba Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
  • Reiko Miyahara Center for Surveillance, Immunization and Epidemiologic Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
  • Mayuko Saito Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
  • Motoi Suzuki Center for Surveillance, Immunization and Epidemiologic Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
  • Hitoshi Oshitani Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2022.13.1.889

Abstract

In response to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan, a national COVID-19 cluster taskforce (comprising governmental and nongovernmental experts) was established to support the country’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in conducting daily risk assessment. The assessment was carried out using established infectious disease surveillance systems; however, in the initial stages of the pandemic these were not sufficient for real-time risk assessment owing to limited accessibility, delay in data entry and inadequate case information. Also, local governments were publishing anonymized data on confirmed COVID-19 cases on their official websites as daily press releases. We developed a unique database for nationwide real-time risk assessment that included these case lists from local government websites and integrated all case data into a standardized format. The database was updated daily and checked systematically to ensure comprehensiveness and quality. Between 15 January 2020 and 15 June 2021, 776 459 cases were logged in the database, allowing for analysis of real-time risk from the pandemic. This semi-automated database was used in daily risk assessments, and to evaluate and update control measures to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 in Japan. The data were reported almost every week to the Japanese Government Advisory Panel on COVID-19 for public health responses.

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Published

31-03-2022

How to Cite

1.
Ninomiya K, Kanamori M, Ikeda N, Jindai K, Ko Y, Otani K, Furuse Y, Akaba H, Miyahara R, Saito M, Suzuki M, Oshitani H. Integration of publicly available case-based data for real-time coronavirus disease 2019 risk assessment, Japan. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2022 Mar. 31 [cited 2026 Mar. 20];13(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/889

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2022): January ‒ March

Section

COVID-19: Surveillance System Implementation / Evaluation

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