Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

January 21, 2021

Quarantine and Testing Strategies in Contact Tracing for SARS-CoV-2: A Modelling Study

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A modeling study found that a shortened quarantine period combined with RT-PCR and antigen testing among SARS-CoV-2 exposed contacts could avert as much transmission as a 14-day quarantine period. In the baseline scenario where 67% of index cases adhere to self-isolation and 50% of exposed contacts adhere to quarantine, a 14-day quarantine period was estimated to reduce transmission by 59%. In the test case scenario with the same assumptions, a 7-day quarantine with a negative RT-PCR test or a negative antigen test on day 7 was estimated to reduce transmission by 54% and 50%, respectively. A 5-day quarantine with daily antigen testing with consistently negative test results could also reduce transmission by 50%. Further reduction in transmission can be gained by stricter adherence to isolation and quarantine measures.

Quilty et al. (Jan 20, 2021). Quarantine and Testing Strategies in Contact Tracing for SARS-CoV-2: A Modelling Study. The Lancet Public Health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(20)30308-X/fulltext#%20