CHARIOT COVID-19 Rapid Response study (CCRR)

A collaborative initiative run from Imperial College London between groups within the School of Public Health and the National Heart and Lung Institute. A key objective of this study is to examine, and track over time, the age-group specific prevalence of past symptomatic COVID-19 infection and incidence (new cases) of symptomatic COVID-19 infection in older adults (50+ years) in London and the surrounding area. This will enable the ‘real-time’ monitoring of the pandemic in a small geographical area, linking self-reported community disease surveillance (proxy for mild to moderate disease) with laboratory-confirmed disease surveillance (proxy for disease requiring hospitalisation).

Secondly, we aim to measure the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and preventive measures (social isolation/distancing) on the mental and physical well-being of the population. We hope these findings will Identify lifestyle, biomedical and psychosocial factors that determine vulnerability and resilience to COVID-19 infection.

The study has invited ~40,000 CHARIOT register participants, to complete an online questionnaire weekly for up to a year. The Register participants may also refer members of their household to participate, provided they are aged 18+. The weekly questionnaire will contain questions surround COVID-19 symptomology and exposure risks. Participants will also be asked questions surrounding their health behaviour and wellbeing 6-weekly.