Epidemic Management via Imperfect Testing: A Multi-criterial Perspective.

ABSTRACT: Diagnostic testing may represent a key component in response to an ongoing epidemic, especially if coupled with containment measures, such as mandatory self-isolation, aimed to prevent infectious individuals from furthering onward transmission while allowing non-infected individuals to go about their lives. However, by its own nature as an imperfect binary classifier, testing can produce false negative or false positive results. Both types of misclassification are problematic: while the former may exacerbate the spread of disease, the latter may result in unnecessary isolation mandates and socioeconomic burden. As clearly shown by the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving adequate protection for both people and society is a crucial, yet highly challenging task that needs to be addressed in managing

SUBMITTER: Palma G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10255952 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature