Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Massachusetts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This cohort study examines disparities in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Massachusetts.

Figure 1.. Socioeconomic Vulnerability, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Testing Intensity, and SARS-CoV-2 Testing Gap Among Massachusetts Communities, May 27 to October 14, 2020

Community socioeconomic vulnerability (A and B) was estimated by the percentile from the Socioeconomic Status domain of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Testing intensity (C and D) included total tests (including repeat tests in same individual) for Massachusetts but tested individuals (not including repeat testing) for Boston neighborhoods. The weekly testing gap (E and F) was calculated as the mean gap during the observation period. Blue squares indicate communities with large university student populations (>10% of residents). Data were broken into 3 categories for illustrative purposes, but statistical models considered the gap as continuous and socioeconomic vulnerability as quartiles of the US population.

Figure 2.. Social Vulnerability and Relative Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing Gap Among Massachusetts Communities, May 27 to October 14, 2020

Community social vulnerability was estimated using the Socioeconomic Status and Minority Status and Language domains of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) aggregated to the community units used by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Massachusetts cities and towns) and the Boston Public Health Commission (Boston neighborhoods). Data were broken into 3 categories of percentiles of the US population.