DATCOV:

In March 2020, DATCOV, a national surveillance system, was established by NICD to monitor COVID-19 hospital admissions in South Africa.

The Division established an enhanced sentinel surveillance project, funded by the BMGF, in collaboration with the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium.

The first objective of this project was to understand the contribution of NCDs, HIV, and TB to COVID-19 mortality. Seventeen study sites were selected in six provinces, and COVID-19 patients were enrolled during the second (and subsequent waves) of the epidemic in South Africa.

An interim analysis has revealed the prevalence of pre-existing, newly diagnosed or undiagnosed co-morbidities, their level of control and their impact on mortality.