Table 1.
COVID-19 metrics comparison (1–3 scale: 1 = poor, 2 = good, 3 = excellent).
| Metric | Direct |
Objective |
Clear |
Comparable |
Practical |
Reliable |
Useful |
Relevant |
Error |
Policy Relevant |
Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracks result it intends to measure | No ambiguity in measurements; clearly defined (uses common definitions) | Simple, easy to interpret | Allows for areal-temporal comparisons | Data obtained timely with reasonable costs | Data sufficient, dependable, and consistent for decision-making | Meaningful measure of system change; useful for daily decision making | Provides high priority information; communicates system information | Errors do not propagate | Relevant to current health policies | ||
| Positive tests | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| Positivity rate | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| Hospital-isations | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 |
| Deaths | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 22 |
| Total no. of infections | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 25 |
| Infection odds ratio | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 26 |