Gupta M
Wahl B
Adhikari B
Bar-Zeev N
Bhandari S
Coria A
Erchick DJ
Gupta N
Hariyani S
Kagucia EW
Killewo J
Limaye RJ
McCollum ED
Pandey R
Pomat WS
Rao KD
Santosham M
Sauer M
Wanyenze RK
Peters DH
Glob Health Res Policy. 2020;533
In the early months of the pandemic, most reported cases and deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in high-income countries. However, insufficient testing could have led to an underestimation of true infections in many low- and middle-income countries. As confirmed cases increase, the ultimate impact of the pandemic on individuals and communities in low- and middle-income countries is uncertain. We therefore propose research in three broad areas as urgently needed to inform responses in low- and middle-income countries: transmission patterns of SARS-CoV-2, the clinical characteristics of the disease, and the impact of pandemic prevention and response measures. Answering these questions will require a multidisciplinary approach led by local investigators and in some cases additional resources. Targeted research activities should be done to help mitigate the potential burden of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries without diverting the limited human resources, funding, or medical supplies from response activities.
