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. 2020 Oct 21;15(10):e0240778.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240778. eCollection 2020.

Predictors of self-reported symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada using a nationally representative survey

Daphne C Wu  1 , Prabhat Jha  1 , Teresa Lam  2 , Patrick Brown  1   3 , Hellen Gelband  1 , Nico Nagelkerke  1 , H Chaim Birnboim  1   4 , Angus Reid  2 ; Action to Beat Coronavirus in Canada/Action pour Battre le Coronavirus (Ab-C) Study Group
Affiliations

Predictors of self-reported symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada using a nationally representative survey

Daphne C Wu et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Random population-based surveys to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are useful to understand distributions and predictors of the infection. In April 2020, the first-ever nationally representative survey in Canada polled 4,240 adults age 18 years and older about self-reported COVID experience in March, early in the epidemic. We examined the levels and predictors of COVID symptoms, defined as fever plus difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, dry cough so severe that it disrupts sleep, and/or loss of sense of smell; and testing for SARS-CoV-2 by respondents and/or household members. About 8% of Canadians reported that they and/or one or more household members experienced COVID symptoms. Symptoms were more common in younger than in older adults, and among visible minorities. Overall, only 3% of respondents and/or household members reported testing for SARS-CoV-2. Being tested was associated with having COVID symptoms, Indigenous identity, and living in Quebec. Periodic nationally representative surveys of symptoms, as well as SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, are required in many countries to understand the pandemic and prepare for the future.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this manuscript have read the journal’s policy and have the following competing interests: HCB is a paid employee of deltaDNA Biosciences, Inc., but the company did not fund the study. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products associated with this research to declare. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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