Considerations in the investigation of cases and clusters of COVID-19: interim guidance, 13 March 2020

This document offers operational guidance to Member States for the rapid investigation of suspected COVID-19 cases after an alert or signal. It is to be used by local, regional, or national health authorities as considerations for investigating cases of COVID-19. This should not be considered a comprehensive guide to outbreak investigation. Detailed outbreak investigation guidance has been developed for other respiratory pathogens, including MERS-CoV and influenza. Further information on outbreak investigation for COVID-19 can be found on the OpenWHO website.

This guidance may be implemented in different countries with varying resources and epidemiological patterns, and should be adapted accordingly. This document is intended to describe the specific components required to undertake an investigation.

This document is informed by current knowledge of the COVID-19 outbreak and similar considerations for other respiratory pathogens, including MERS-CoV and influenza viruses. WHO will continue to update these recommendations as new information becomes available.