Flu Dynamics COVID-19 Supplement

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACTSARS-COV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease (COVID) emerged in China in late 2019. It rapidlyspread worldwide and is now causing a pandemic with high morbidity and mortality. Because SARS-COV-2 isa novel virus in humans, there are many fundamental knowledge gaps in our understanding of the virus anddisease. To undertake a detailed investigation of SARS-COV-2 in Nicaragua, we propose to add onSARS-COV-2 aims to our existing Household Influenza Cohort Study. The research questions addressed build naturally on the infrastructure currently in place to conduct the Household Cohort Study. Specifically, wewill add SARS-COV-2 testing on to samples that are already collected through our ongoing cohort study, addthe collection of blood samples around SARS-COV-2 infection in participants, and perform a household SARS-COV-2 transmission study. This proposal addresses major gaps in knowledge on COVID natural historyand transmission. It is thus timely and well-poised to have substantial public health and scientificimpact.