Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 Resources

Find tools, resources, and analysis related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This content was produced during the height of the pandemic and may be outdated due to scientific advancements.

COVID-19 Fact Sheets

COVID-19 Infographic: Tips to Improve Indoor Ventilation in K-12 Schools to Help Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can be reduced by improving ventilation in school buildings and classrooms.

Infographic: Tips to Improve Indoor Ventilation in K-12 Schools (PDF)

Understanding the Accuracy of Diagnostic and Serology Tests: Sensitivity and Specificity

Diagnostic and serology tests are crucial tools to fight the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious disease pathogens.

Understanding the Accuracy of Diagnostic and Serology Tests: Sensitivity and Sp…

COVID-19 Infographic: Tips to make the air in your home safer from SARS-CoV-2

Make the air in your home safer during COVID-19 by increasing ventilation and filtration.
Vea la versión en español de esta infografía.

Infographic: Tips to make the air in your home safer from SARS-CoV-2 (PDF)

Vaccines in Development to Target COVID-19 Disease

This document describes vaccine investment and progress made thus far as of August 24, 2020.

Vaccines in Development to Target COVID-19 Disease (PDF)

Convalescent Plasma and Treatment

Convalescent plasma refers to the plasma in the blood of a patient who has recovered from COVID-19.

Convalescent Plasma and Treatment (PDF)

COVID-19 Infographic: Stay Healthy on Election Day

This infographic provides public tips on how to safely vote in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infographic: Stay Healthy on Election Day (PDF)

Transmission Mitigation Practices in Public Transportation

Public transportation poses serious risks for the transmission of COVID-19.

Transmission Mitigation Practices in Public Transportation (PDF)

Comparison of National RT-PCR Primers, Probes, and Protocols for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics

This fact sheet provides a detailed comparison of several RT-PCR tests developed by various countries.

Comparison of National RT-PCR Primers, Probes, and Protocols for SARS-CoV-2 Dia…

Vaccines in Development to Target COVID-19 Disease

This document describes vaccine candidates and progress made thus far as of April 9, 2020.

Vaccines in Development to Target COVID-19 Disease (PDF)

Review of Mobile Application Technology to Enhance Contact Tracing Capacity for COVID-19

Contact tracing is a mainstay of a robust public health response.

Review of Mobile Application Technology to Enhance Contact Tracing Capacity for…

US Public Health Programs and Assets Being Used to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The entities and capacities that would figure most prominently during a major infectious disease outbreak are described.

US Public Health Programs and Assets Being Used to Respond to the COVID-19 Pand…

Serology testing for COVID-19

Serology tests are blood-based tests that can be used to identify whether people have been exposed to a particular pathogen.

Serology testing for COVID-19 (PDF)

Ventilator Stockpiling and Availability in the US

Mechanical ventilation is a vital component of critical services for patients exhibiting severe acute respiratory failure.

Ventilator Stockpiling and Availability in the US (PDF)

Blame and Discrimination Attached to COVID-19 — An FAQ for US Elected Leaders and Health Officials (PDF)

When fear of disease and fear of others collide

Blame and Discrimination Attached to COVID-19 — An FAQ for US Elected Leaders a…

PCR Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Diagnostic testing for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is undertaken using 3 approaches: whole genome sequencing, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR), and serology.

PCR Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (PDF)

WHO’s Role During Health Emergencies (PDF)

As the health lead for the United Nations, a primary responsibility of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to respond to natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

WHO’s Role During Health Emergencies

Financing for Epidemic Response Activities

There are several major sources of money that have supported and still may support outbreak response activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financing for Epidemic Response Activities (PDF)

SARS-CoV-2 Genetics

A summary of findings from the latest phylogenetic research on SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 Genetics (PDF)

Coronaviruses Fact Sheet

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a family of RNA viruses that typically cause mild respiratory disease in humans.

Coronaviruses Fact Sheet (PDF)

COVID-19 Resources

Find analysis, congressional testimonies & briefings, resources, and an archive of newsletters related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Analysis

2023

The Origins of Covid-19 — Why It Matters (and Why It Doesn’t)
June 22, 2023

How Infectious Disease Experts Impacted the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response: Lessons From the Front Lines
April 27, 2023

COVID-19 has left the world less prepared for an influenza pandemic 
April 19, 2023

High Primary COVID-19 Vaccine Series Completion by People Who Inject Drugs When Colocating Services at a Syringe Services Van 
March 10, 2023

Infodemic Management Approaches Leading up to, During, and Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 7, 2023

Antibiotic Consumption and Stewardship at a Hospital outside of an Early Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epicenter 
January 24, 2023

Analyzing Social Media Messaging on Masks and Vaccines: A Case Study on Misinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
January 10, 2023

2022

In-home healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccination awareness, access, and acceptability—An online focus group study
December 15, 2022

Patents as a Driver of the Unprecedented Biomedical Response to COVID-19
September 21, 2022

Identifying Operational Challenges and Solutions During the COVID-19 Response Among US Public Health Laboratories
August 2, 2022

The COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Crisis: Implications for National Health Security
June 17, 2022

Assessing COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception and Response Preparedness in Veterinary and Animal Care Workers
June 8, 2022

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Future of Nursing Education
June 7, 2022

Weighing the Cost of the Pandemic - Knowing what we know now, how much damage did COVID-19 cause in the United States?
April 21, 2022

Room-level ventilation in schools and universities
February 14, 2022

Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 Testing for Hispanic/Latino Populations: An Analysis of State-Published Demographic Data
February 9, 2022

COVID-19 Vaccination and Communicable Disease Testing Services’ Integration Within a Syringe Services Program
January 19, 2022

2021

The First 2 Years of COVID-19: Lessons to Improve Preparedness for the Next Pandemic
January 6, 2022

Integrating Primary Care and Public Health to Save Lives and Improve Practice During Public Health Crises: Lessons from COVID-19
December 14

Global Health Security (GHS) Index 2021: Advancing Collective Action and Accountability Amid Global Crisis
December 8

Waypoint on the Path to Health Equity: COVID-19 Vaccination at Month 11
November 23, 2021

Navigating the World that COVID-19 Made: A Strategy for Revamping the Pandemic Research and Development Preparedness and Response Ecosystem
October 29, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation and Disinformation Costs an Estimated $50 to $300 Million Each Day
October 20, 2021

Masks and Respirators for the 21st Century: Policy Changes Needed to Save Lives and Prevent Societal Disruption
October 5, 2021

Mental Health and Social Support for Healthcare and Hospital Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
September 23, 2021

Carrying Equity in COVID-19 Vaccination Forward: Guidance Informed by Communities of Color
July 14, 2021

School Ventilation: A Vital Tool to Reduce COVID-19 Spread
May 26, 2021

National Priorities to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation for COVID-19 and Future Public Health Threats: A Call for a National Strategy
March 23, 2021

What you need to know about the CDC's COVID-19 guidance for fully vaccinated individuals
March 9, 2021

Staying Ahead of the Variants: Policy Recommendations to Identify and Manage Current and Future Variants of Concern
February 16, 2021

Equity in Vaccination: A Plan to Work with Communities of Color Toward COVID-19 Recovery and Beyond | Working Group on Equity in COVID-19 Vaccination
February 9, 2021

Variants Vaccines and What they Mean for COVID-19 Testing
February 2, 2021

Potential Solutions to the COVID-19 Oxygen Crisis in the United States
January 26, 2021

2020

Crisis Standards of Care for the COVID-19 Pandemic
December 8, 2020

COVID-19 and the US Criminal Justice System: Evidence for Public Health Measures to Reduce Risk
October 15, 2020

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and NPR State Contact Tracing Survey
October 15, 2020

Risk Assessment and Testing Protocols for Reducing SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in K-12 Schools
October 14, 2020

In Response: Yan et al Preprint, Examinations of the Origin of SARS-CoV-2
September 21, 2020

Interim Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution in the United States
August 19, 2020

Legislative and Regulatory Steps for a National COVID-19 Testing Strategy
August 5, 2020

Resetting Our Response: Changes Needed in the US Approach to COVID-19
July 29, 2020

Updated WHO COVID-19 Mass Gatherings Risk Assessment Tools
July 10, 2020

The Public’s Role in COVID-19 Vaccination: Planning Recommendations Informed by Design Thinking and the Social, Behavioral, and Communication Sciences
July 9, 2020

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security's Recommendations for Improving America's Readiness for the Next Pandemic (PDF)
June 30, 2020

At-Home Diagnostic Testing for Infectious Diseases: A Tool for Accelerating COVID Diagnosis and Building Pandemic Preparedness for the Future
June 25, 2020

Developing a National Strategy for SARS-CoV-2 Serosurveys in the United States
June 18, 2020

COVID-19 Planning Guide and Self-Assessment for Higher Education Globally
June 15, 2020

Recommendations for Improving National Nurse Preparedness for Pandemic Response: Early Lessons from COVID-19
June 10, 2020

Expediting Development of Medical Countermeasures for Unknown Viral Threats: Proposal for a “Virus 201” Program in the United States
June 8, 2020

Digital Contact Tracing for Pandemic Response: Ethics and Governance Guidance
June 1, 2020

Filling in the Blanks: National Research Needs to Guide Decisions about Reopening Schools in the United States
May 15, 2020

Operational Toolkit for Businesses Considering Reopening or Expanding Operations in COVID-19
May 6, 2020

National Action Plan for Expanding and Adapting the Healthcare System for the Duration of the COVID Pandemic
May 5, 2020

Developing a National Strategy for Serology (Antibody Testing) in the United States
April 22, 2020 

Recommendations for a Metropolitan COVID-19 Response—Special Area of Emphasis: Guidance on Protecting Individuals Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities
April 21, 2020

Enabling Emergency Mass Vaccination: Innovations in Manufacturing and Administration During a Pandemic
April 20, 2020

Interim Estimate of the US PPE Needs for COVID-19 (PDF)
April 20, 2020

Public Health Principles for a Phased Reopening During COVID-19: Guidance for Governors
April 17, 2020 

A National Plan to Enable Comprehensive COVID-19 Case Finding and Contact Tracing in the US
April 10, 2020

Recommendations for a Metropolitan COVID-19 Response— Special Emphasis Series: Guidance on Protecting Incarcerated Individuals
April 9, 2020

A National COVID-19 Surveillance System: Achieving Containment
April 7, 2020

Recommendations for a Metropolitan COVID-19 Response
March 30, 2020

National coronavirus response: A road map to reopening
March 29, 2020

Modernizing and Expanding Outbreak Science to Support Better Decision Making During Public Health Crises: Lessons for COVID-19 and Beyond
March 24, 2020

How Should U.S. Hospitals Prepare for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
March 18, 2020

COVID-19 Congressional Testimonies & Briefings

2021

Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Dr. Amesh Adalja Testifies at Pennsylvania General Assembly
December 13, 2021

Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Dr. Tara Kirk Sell Testifies at Maryland State Senate 
August 30, 2021

Center for Health Security Deputy Director Anita Cicero Testifies at U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pension
July 27, 2021

Center for Health Security senior scholar Dr. Caitlin Rivers testifies at U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space & Technology on SARS-CoV-2 Variants
May 12, 2021

Confronting the Coronavirus: Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic One Year Later
February 24, 2021

2020

Center for Health Security senior scholars Dr. Gigi Gronvall and Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo brief the US House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee
September 11, 2020

Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Dr. Caitlin Rivers Testifies at US House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
August 6, 2020

Center for Health Security senior scholar Dr. Gigi Gronvall briefs US House of Representatives subcommittee on COVID-19 antibody testing
June 9, 2020

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Director Testifies at First Briefing Hosted by the US House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
May 13, 2020

Center for Health Security director Dr. Tom Inglesby briefs the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs
May 6, 2020

Center for Health Security senior scholar Dr. Caitlin Rivers testifies at US House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on COVID-19 Response
May 6, 2020

Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Dr. Tara Kirk Sell Testifies at US House of Representatives Committee Hearing, “Beyond Coronaviruses: Understanding the Spread of Infectious Diseases and Mobilizing Innovative Solutions”
March 5, 2020

Center for Health Security director Dr. Tom Inglesby testifies at US House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security on COVID-19
March 4, 2020

Center for Health Security expert Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo testifies at first open congressional hearing on 2019-nCoV
February 5, 2020

Resources

Visit the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center where our experts help to advance understanding of the virus, inform the public, and brief policymakers in order to guide a response, improve care, and save lives. 

COVID-19 Personal preparedness infographic (PDF)

CDC COVID-19 Science Updates: Data serve an important role in informing efforts to prevent and reduce public health risks. Every day, many studies are released to help answer critical questions about COVID-19. But given the large number and different types of studies being released, it can be difficult to stay on top of the latest research. The CDC releases summaries every Tuesday and Friday of important studies released.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security–NPR–Partners In Health Survey on National Contact Tracing Workforce: The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and its partners, the National Public Radio (NPR) and Partners In Health, have released data on contact tracers and care resource coordination from their latest joint survey on the state of the national coronavirus contact tracing workforce.

COVID-19 Situation Reports

This newsletter summarized news and research on COVID-19 epidemiology, science, policy, and other pandemic-related issues in the US and internationally. Our team began these situation updates in January 2020, prior to the outbreak being declared a pandemic, publishing nearly every day of the week, and concluded the newsletter in May 2023, following the end of the national public health emergency.

CommuniVax Roundups

Read archived issues of these weekly and then monthly newsletters covering COVID-19 vaccine development, policy, and public perception in the US, published from December 2020 until January 2023.