Ensuring Community Engagement in Disease Surveillance: The Municipal Case Investigation and Contact Tracing System for COVID-19 in Puerto Rico.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To describe the implementation of a novel disease surveillance model in Puerto Rico, the Municipal Case Investigation and Contact Tracing System for COVID-19, established during the pandemic as the primary response. <b>Methods.</b> We analyzed data from July 2020 to June 2021, including all COVID-19 cases reported by public and private laboratories in Puerto Rico to describe the accomplishments and limitations of the surveillance. <b>Results.</b> During the first year, the system was successfully implemented in all Puerto Rican municipalities, collecting data on more than 132 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. It improved case investigation coverage, reduced laboratory reporting times, and facilitated community engagement for ongoing response enhancements. <b>Conclusions.</b> Surveillance systems of this scale were new to Puerto Rico's Health System, and there was a steep learning and improvement curve. This approach enabled tailored health education, equitable distribution of testing and treatments, and surveillance by educational institutions. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Near-real-time epidemiological data publication promoted trust, education, and evidence-based policymaking. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2024;114(S1):S96-S102. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307493).