Like GrippeNet.fr, COVIDnet.fr will collect epidemiological data anonymously directly from the public.

GrippeNet.fr is part of the European Influenzanet consortium, which includes 11 countries. The GrippeNet.fr study was launched in 2012 by the Sentinelles network (Inserm – Sorbonne University) and Santé publique France, with the goal of collecting epidemiological data on influenza directly from the general public in metropolitan France via the Internet and anonymously. The 9th season of GrippeNet.fr began on November 20, 2019. The cohort currently includes more than 7,200 participants who report weekly on whether or not they have experienced symptoms since their last login.

As of January 10, 2020, health authorities in France implemented a COVID-19 surveillance system. Since early March, a new surveillance system adapted to the widespread circulation of the virus has been gradually implemented using multiple data sources. In this context, the usual influenza surveillance networks (the Sentinelles network as well as other surveillance systems coordinated by Santé publique France) have, since March 16, adapted their surveillance efforts to track this epidemic, using data collected from the healthcare system.

However, GrippeNet.fr is currently the only system in France capable of studying the symptoms reported by sick individuals who do not seek care through the healthcare system. Over the past few weeks, GrippeNet.fr has recorded a decrease in the proportion of participants reporting “no symptoms” and an increase in the proportion of participants reporting symptoms (colds, flu-like symptoms, and other nonspecific symptoms). The proportion of participants reporting cold symptoms is thus higher than the values historically observed during this period. This could be linked to COVID-19 and justifies adapting GrippeNet.fr’s surveillance system to COVIDnet.fr to monitor this disease.

Several studies have been conducted since early March to assess participants’ level of knowledge, anxiety, behavioral changes, and trust in public authorities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. An initial COVID-19-specific questionnaire was sent to participants electronically on February 12 during Stage 1 of the pandemic. Then, a second questionnaire was sent on March 11 during Stage 2, just before the transition to Stage 3. Approximately 3,500 people responded to the first questionnaire, and 2,700 to the second. The initial results are available online. A third questionnaire, sent on March 31, will help complete the analyses with data collected during Stage 3 of the pandemic.

COVIDnet.fr will enable more in-depth data collection related to COVID-19. COVIDnet.fr will thus make it possible to track changes in the proportion of participants reporting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, to understand the characteristics and behaviors of those who are sick (changes in behavior, use of healthcare services, adherence to preventive measures, etc.), as well as to understand the public’s perceptions and experiences regarding this disease (level of knowledge, perception of risk, level of anxiety, trust in authorities, attitudes toward measures taken by authorities, etc.).

Much remains to be done to better understand this new virus and contain the epidemic. To achieve this, widespread public participation is essential: the more participants there are, the more reliable the estimates will be. By joining COVIDnet.fr, participants can contribute to surveillance and research on COVID-19. Additionally, they will stay informed about the results of the monitoring and the latest developments in COVID-19 research.

Anyone wishing to take part in research on the COVID-19 outbreak can sign up for the study by visiting www.covidnet.fr, regardless of their nationality, age, or health status. An email address is all that is needed to participate.