Group testing against Covid-19
Résumé
It is well-known that group testing is an efficient strategy to screen for the
presence of a virus. It consists of pooling n individual samples with a single
test using RT-PCR. If no individual in the group is infected, the group test is
negative. Thus, a single test may reveal this crucial information. We show how
group testing can be optimised in three applications to multiply the power of
tests against Covid-19: Estimating virus prevalence to measure the evolution
of the pandemic, bringing negative groups back to work to exit the current
lockdown, and testing for individual infectious status to treat sick people.
For an infection level around 2%, group testing could multiply the power of
testing by a factor of 20. The implementation of this strategy in the short run
requires limited investments and could bypass the current immense shortage
of testing capacity.
Domaines
Economies et finances
Origine : Accord explicite pour ce dépôt
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