Effectiveness and resource requirements of test, trace and isolate strategies for COVID in the UK

Abstract

We use an individual-level transmission and contact simulation model to explore the effectiveness and resource requirements of various test-trace-isolate (TTI) strategies for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the UK, in the context of different scenarios with varying levels of stringency of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Based on modelling results, we show that self-isolation of symptomatic individuals and quarantine of their household contacts has a substantial impact on the number of new infections generated by each primary case. We further show that adding contact tracing of non-household contacts of confirmed cases to this broader package of interventions reduces the number of new infections otherwise generated by 5–15%. We also explore impact of key factors, such as tracing application adoption and testing delay, on overall effectiveness of TTI.

Editorial: Post-Exposure Prophylactic Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 for Individuals at High Risk for COVID-19

“…Testing for SARS-CoV-2 has become widely available, as are mobile phone applications that alert or trace any contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals [ 9 ]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has defined the meaning of ‘close contact’ during the COVID-19 pandemic as the contact for 15 minutes or more during 24 hours within 6 feet (or 2 metres) of an infected individual who has laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, or a clinically compatible illness [ 10 ].…”