Examining SARS-CoV-2 Interventions in Residential Colleges Using an Empirical Network.

ABSTRACT: Universities have turned to SARS-CoV-2 models to examine campus reopening strategies^1-9. While these studies have explored a variety of modeling techniques, all have relied on simulated data. Here, we use an empirical proximity network of college freshmen¹⁰, ascertained using smartphone Bluetooth, to simulate the spread of the virus. We investigate the role of testing, isolation, mask wearing, and social distancing in the presence of implementation challenges and imperfect compliance. Here we show that while frequent testing can drastically reduce spread if mask wearing and social distancing are not widely adopted, testing has limited impact if they are ubiquitous. Furthermore, even moderate levels of immunity can significantly reduce new infections, especially when c

SUBMITTER: Hambridge HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7987029 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature