Characterising Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a Peri-urban Population in Mozambique Using Population-based (Sero)Surveillance

The investigators will use the established HDSS to set up population-based COVID19 surveillance in a household cohort. From any individual in this population with any respiratory symptom or loss of smell or taste, with or without fever, investigators will collect a respiratory specimen and test these for SARS-CoV-2 virus by PCR, during 12 months. These cases will be identified through bi-weekly household visits, through an alert system involving community leaders and HDSS interviewers, or when presenting with symptoms at healthcare centres or the referral hospital. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical data (comorbidities, medication, obesity, HIV, TB, smoking) of possible cases and of the source population will be recorded at baseline; recent illness, potential risk exposure of each household member (including duration and type) to SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals, uptake of measures to reduce exposure/transmission, and barriers to the uptake of such measures, will be recorded/updated during every household visit.

An age-stratified serial sero-survey will be conducted at baseline in a subset of the population in the population-based COVID19 surveillance, and at 3, 6 and 12 months, after confirmation of community transmission.