Mass testing of university students for covid-19.
Accepted version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Matheson, Nicholas J
Warne, Ben https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1326-0373
Weekes, Michael P
Maxwell, Patrick H
Abstract
People can clearly incubate and transmit SARS-CoV-2 in the absence of symptoms. Nonetheless, the value of mass testing (large scale asymptomatic screening to identify cases) has been contested. In principle, isolation of people with pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection will prevent further spread. In practice, it is less clear whether enough infectious people can be identified through screening to have a quantitatively important effect on transmission, and whether the direct benefits of enhanced case ascertainment are outweighed by direct or indirect costs. The debate is complicated by an absence of data from randomised controlled trials, and controversy about the suitability of lateral flow tests for this purpose.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, COVID-19 Testing, Humans, Mass Screening, Pandemics, SARS-CoV-2, United Kingdom, United States, Universities
Journal Title
BMJ
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
0959-8146
1756-1833
1756-1833
Volume Title
375
Publisher
BMJ
Publisher DOI
Rights
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MR/P008801/1)
Wellcome Trust (096956/Z/11/Z)
Wellcome Trust (096956/Z/11/Z)