Simulation-based what-if analysis for controlling the spread of Covid-19 in universities.

ABSTRACT: A simulation model is developed to analyze the spread of covid-19 in universities. The model can be used to conduct a what-if analysis and estimate infection cases under different policies. For proof-of-concept, the model is simulated for a hypothetical university of 25,000 students and 3,000 faculty/staff in a U.S. college town. Simulation results show that early outbreaks are very likely, and there is no silver bullet to avoid them. Instead, a combination of policies should be carefully implemented. The results suggest (almost) full remote university operations from the beginning of the semester. In a less-preferred alternative, if universities decide to have students attend in person, they should encourage remote operations for high-risk individuals, conduct frequent rapid tests, enforc

SUBMITTER: Ghaffarzadegan N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7850497 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature