Strengthening COVID-19 Surveillance Using the Existing National Respiratory Surveillance Framework

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global outbreak of coronavirus and has significantly changed the dynamics and framework of healthcare delivery system. Acknowledging the fact that the clinical manifestations of both influenza and COVID-19 are quite similar and both are respiratory pathogens, it will be ideal to use the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) for monitoring the community-level transmission in any nation. During the initial stages of pandemic itself, with the intention to strengthen the surveillance activities, it was recommended that all the nations should use the existing surveillance networks in the nation and employ them for the surveillance of COVID-19 cases. In conclusion, the GISRS continues to play an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic response since its onset. As a matter of fact, this system is an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable platform for nations to continue their battle against the pandemic.