New study outlines a means to better estimate COVID-19 occurrence and trends A new study led by the U.S. Geological Survey outlines a means to better estimate COVID-19 occurrence and trends in populations. Currently, COVID-19 testing is primarily limited to self-selected individuals, many of whom are symptomatic or have had contact with someone who is symptomatic. While these tests are useful for individual medical treatment and contact tracing, they do not provide health officials with a complete picture of the disease across the population. Coordinated sampling of COVID-19 is key to informing health officials as they continue their efforts to control the pandemic, permitting better predictions of disease dynamics and decisions that help limit transmission. The proposed sampling methods should also help officials determine the effectiveness of vaccines, social distancing, masks and other mitigation efforts."