Comparison of molecular testing strategies for COVID-19 control: a mathematical modelling study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

WHO has called for increased testing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but countries have taken different approaches and the effectiveness of alternative strategies is unknown. We aimed to investigate the potential impact of different testing and isolation strategies on transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods

We developed a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission based on infectiousness and PCR test sensitivity over time since infection. We estimated the reduction in the effective reproduction number (R) achieved by testing and isolating symptomatic individuals, regular screening of high-risk groups irrespective of symptoms, and quarantine of contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases identified through test-and-

SUBMITTER: Grassly NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7434438 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature