Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Witty answers question during the daily presser on Covid-19

The transcript discusses the critical role of data in understanding infection rates during an epidemic. It highlights the importance of data for vaccine development and immunity evidence. Challenges in developing reliable serological tests and sampling issues are identified. Biological constraints, such as the time required for tests to be reliable, are also discussed. The transcript concludes with an overview of scientific progress and future expectations in data collection.

Why is data considered crucial during an epidemic?

• To eliminate the need for vaccines

• To reduce the cost of healthcare

• To increase the number of infections

• To determine the proportion of infected individuals

What is one of the main goals of the ongoing work in serology?

• To create a new type of virus

• To increase the number of infections

• To stop all research in public health

• To develop an accurate serological test

What is a significant challenge in developing serological tests?

• Lack of interest from scientists

• Absence of a reliable test

• Too many reliable tests available

• No need for serological tests

What is a 'sampling frame' in epidemiological terms?

• A method to increase infection rates

• A framework to collect samples for testing

• A way to reduce the number of tests

• A tool to eliminate the need for vaccines

Why is there a delay in the reliability of serological tests?

• There is no delay in test reliability

• Tests are not needed

• It takes time for the body to develop detectable antibodies

• Tests are too expensive