Perception of Local COVID-19 Transmission and Use of Preventive Behaviors Among Adults with Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection - Illinois and Michigan, June 1-July 31, 2022

What is already known about this topic? During June-July 2022, many U.S. counties experienced high COVID-19 transmission levels. What is added by this report? One half of adults surveyed during June-July 2022 who had recently received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result in metropoli-tan Detroit, Michigan and DuPage County, Illinois perceived local COVID-19 transmission when surveyed to be low or moderate, despite documented sustained high transmission. Higher perceived local COVID-19 transmission was associated with more use of preventive behaviors, overall and in response to high local COVID-19 transmission. What are the implications for public health practice? Continued monitoring of public perceptions of local COVID-19 levels, and further understanding their impact on use of preventive behaviors, can guide pandemic-related communication strategies and policymaking.

Automated summary

According to this report, despite documented sustained high transmission in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan and DuPage County, Illinois, half of adults who had recently received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during June-July 2022 perceived local COVID-19 transmission to be low or moderate. Higher perceived local COVID-19 transmission was associated with more use of preventive behaviors.