Harmonised principles set out how to collect and report statistics to ensure comparability across different data collections in the Government Statistical Service (GSS). Harmonisation produces more useful statistics that give users a greater level of understanding. When it comes to collecting data about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we are proposing a harmonised set of questions. Given the lack of testing these are to be considered experimental and not a full harmonised principle.

A proposed data standard (GeoJSON data model) for exchanging data for viral infection tests, contact events used for contact tracing and regional infection statistics. The model is based on OGC/ISO Observations & measurements Standard (OGC O&M, ISO 19156) concepts. Created specifically for recording and exchanging data on SARS-CoV-2 infection tests, but likely applicable also to describing test data for detecting other infectious diseases too.