Role of masks, testing and contact tracing in preventing COVID-19 resurgences: a case study from New South Wales, Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, has the potential to spread exponentially. Therefore, as long as a substantial proportion of the population remains susceptible to infection, the potential for new epidemic waves persists even in settings with low numbers of active COVID-19 infections, unless sufficient countermeasures are in place. We aim to quantify vulnerability to resurgences in COVID-19 transmission under variations in the levels of testing, tracing and mask usage.

Setting

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), a setting with prolonged low transmission, high mobility, non-universal mask usage and a well-functioning test-and-trace system.

Participants

None (simulation study)

SUBMITTER: Stuart RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8061569 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature