How long will it take to generate robust and reliable data on COVID-19 prevalence?
There is reasonably robust data of COVID-19 deaths in hospitals because most people who die in hospital are tested. Deaths outside hospitals are likely underestimated as people are dying in care homes where mortality approaches ~40%,242 and may die without being tested and diagnosed. It is difficult to determine prevalence as testing practices vary so much from country to country. Seroprevalence studies will help to collect these data.