Covid-19
16.3.2020
Priority question for written answer P-001643/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Nicolás González Casares (S&D)
The Covid-19 crisis is taking on enormous proportions, not only in terms of the number of cases and deaths, but also as regards the measures that Member States are taking to slow its spread.
Every day we are seeing data and statistics comparing the development of the disease in different countries, but it is clear that there is no common standard for collecting that data. The different countries have adopted diagnostic protocols in line with their capabilities, but if we want to compare data in order to build up an accurate picture of the development of the pandemic at European level, we need uniform data, or we need to come up with indirect measurement arrangements or estimates that allow for standardised comparisons to be made.
It seems clear that the data on mortality or ICU admissions are the most reliable because they come from confirmed positives, and even though there are differences in the data collected, they do not seem to be as uniform as the data on incidence and prevalence.
With the foregoing in mind:
- 1.Will the European Centre for Disease Control be urged to register and standardise tests in order to unify data collection across the Member States?
- 2.If not, does the Commission not think there is a need to conduct surveys (e.g. via Eurostat) to provide a real estimate of the number of people who have had the disease? This would make it possible to estimate the number of cases without a positive screening test.