Evaluation of COVID-19 Testing Strategies for Repopulating College and University Campuses: A Decision Tree Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The optimal approach to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection among college students returning to campus is unknown. Recommendations vary from no testing to two tests per student. This research determined the strategy that optimizes the number of true positives and negatives detected and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests needed.

Methods

A decision tree analysis evaluated five strategies: (1) classifying students with symptoms as having COVID-19, (2) RT-PCR testing for symptomatic students, (3) RT-PCR testing for all students, (4) RT-PCR testing for all students and retesting symptomatic students with a negative first test, and (5) RT-PCR testing for all students and retesting all students with a negative first test. The number of true positives,

SUBMITTER: Van Pelt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7606071 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature