The Serosurvey was administered from September 12-October 1, 2020 to determine what proportion of residents of Maricopa County, Arizona had detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The study revealed that the true seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 has been underestimated by the traditional public health surveillance methods that report confirmed COVID-19 case counts. We also discovered that the infection burden was disproportionately impacting subgroups of the Maricopa County population, particularly among those in households in socioeconomically deprived areas and with occupational exposure. Additionally, when compared to English-speaking households, it was also seen that there was a higher seroprevalence in households that reported speaking a language other than English, indicating a need for more relevant communication strategies for minority communities in the state. 

 

The Serosurvey was a monumental undertaking, which required collaboration between the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), Arizona State University (ASU), and Mayo Clinic. The study relied on over 200 recruited field volunteers primarily from ASU, who were trained in a methodology called Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

To get more information or to read about the final results, click here.