Response Program Overview
Global health security investments and decades of global cooperation and support to control HIV, TB, and malaria, eradicate polio, prepare for influenza and other pandemic diseases have built strong foundations upon which to attack the coronavirus pandemic. CDC is supporting prevention, preparedness, and response efforts globally, in partnership with public health agencies, health ministry counterparts, and multilateral and non-governmental organizations worldwide.
CDC’s activities are designed to enhance COVID-19 response capabilities and simultaneously continue to build longer-term, sustainable capacity for response to highly communicable diseases in the future.
CDC is leveraging existing preparedness and capacity investments and redirecting appropriate resources to ensure quick access to response funds at post. Examples of CDC COVID-19 response activities to date include:
- Training in infection prevention and control (IPC): In Vietnam, CDC is supporting training on IPC, including collection and testing for laboratory and hospital staff at national hospitals and provincial hospitals in more than 30 provinces.
- Support response coordination: In Sierra Leone, CDC has supported adaptation of a system for electronic data capture in the field (case investigation, contact monitoring, etc.) and created virtual meeting rooms.
- Support epidemiologic response: In Zambia, CDC supported investigation and contact tracing for cases.
- Support for laboratory testing: In Malawi, CDC provided technical support for setting up a COVID-19 testing lab, helped to identify CDC-supported HIV labs for additional COVID-19 testing, and developed a 3-day training course on biosafety standards.
CDC is constantly monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and directing response resources based on changing epidemiology, response requirements, and opportunities to learn more about the virus. Additionally, global COVID-19 response funding may be allocated to address gaps and needs in field operations, as they continue to become apparent.