Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 5, 2021

Comparative cost-effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies in the USA: a modelling study

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A mathematical model suggests that in communities where the SARS-CoV-2 is spreading rapidly, weekly testing coupled with a 2-week isolation period after a positive test is advisable. The authors assessed eight surveillance testing strategies that varied by testing frequency (from daily to monthly testing) and isolation period (1 or 2 weeks), compared with the status-quo strategy of symptom-based testing and isolation. In communities without rapid viral spread, monthly testing with a 1-week isolation period after a positive test is expected to be the most optimal strategy.

Du et al. (Feb 4, 2021). Comparative cost-effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies in the USA: a modelling study. The Lancet Public Health https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00002-5/fulltext