On an optimal testing strategy for workplace settings operating during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hernández, X.; Valentinotti, Sergio

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264060

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Still other surveillancefocused studies have explored the performance of non-adaptive combinatorial group testing [22], and the importance of self-isolation and contact tracing measures [23]. Finally, [24] proposed an optimal testing strategy to mini-mize the presence of pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic employees in the workplace.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimal Workplace Occupancy Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Davoodi¹,

Senapati²,

Schlechte-Wełnicz³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimal Workplace Occupancy Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Davoodi¹,

Senapati²,

Schlechte-Wełnicz³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Considering the limitation of test resources, Hernandez and Valentinotti studied a optimal sample selection strategy which selected 5% or 10% of the whole population with excluding the sample of individuals who have a low probability of being infected (recently tested ones). Then under fixed numbers of tests, this strategy can effectively reduce the overall infected-person-days [ 16 ]. However, it should be mentioned that on the background of the COVID-19 local outbreaks in China, the nucleic acid test is implemented every one to three days of the whole population [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the pulse population-wide nucleic acid screening in mitigating and stopping COVID-19 outbreaks in China

Bai

Tang

2023

BMC Infect Dis

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Background During 2021-2022, mainland China experienced multiple times of local COVID-19 outbreaks in several cities, including Yangzhou, Xi’an etc., and the Chinese government persistently adopted the zero-COVID policy in combating with the local outbreaks. Methods We develop a mathematical model with pulse population-wide nucleic acid screening, part of the zero-COVID policy, to reveal its role in controlling the spread of COVID-19. We calibrate the model by fitting the COVID-19 epidemic data of the local outbreaks in Yangzhou and Xi’an, China. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the impact of population-wide nucleic acid screening on controlling the outbreak of COVID-19. Results Without the screening, the cumulative number of confirmed cases increases by $$77.7\%$$ 77.7 % and $$62.2\%$$ 62.2 % in Yangzhou and Xi’an, respectively. Meanwhile, the screening program helps to shorten the lockdown period for more than one month when we aim at controlling the cases into zero. Considering its role in mitigating the epidemics, we observe a paradox phenomenon of the screening rate in avoiding the runs on medical resource. That is, the screening will aggravate the runs on medical resource when the screening rate is small, while it helps to relieve the runs on medical resource if the screening rate is high enough. We also conclude that the screening has limited effects on mitigating the epidemics if the outbreak is in a high epidemic level or there has already been runs on medical resources. Alternatively, a smaller screening population per time with a higher screening frequency may be a better program to avoid the runs on medical resources. Conclusions The population-wide nucleic acid screening strategy plays an important role in quickly controlling and stopping the local outbreaks under the zero-COVID policy. However, it has limited impacts and even increase the potential risk of the runs on medical resource for containing the large scale outbreaks.

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Guiding organisational decision-making about COVID-19 asymptomatic testing in workplaces: mixed-method study to inform an ethical framework

et al. 2022

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Background Workplace programmes to test staff for asymptomatic COVID-19 infection have become common, but raise a number of ethical challenges. In this article, we report the findings of a consultation that informed the development of an ethical framework for organisational decision-making about such programmes. Methods We conducted a mixed-method consultation – a survey and semi-structured interviews during November–December 2020 in a UK case study organisation that had introduced asymptomatic testing for all staff working on-site in its buildings. Analysis of closed-ended survey data was conducted descriptively. An analysis approach based on the Framework Method was used for the open-ended survey responses and interview data. The analyses were then integrated to facilitate systematic analysis across themes. Inferences were based on the integrated findings and combined with other inputs (literature review, ethical analysis, legal and public health guidance, expert discussions) to develop an ethical framework. Results The consultation involved 61 staff members from the case study organisation (50 survey respondents and 11 interview participants). There was strong support for the asymptomatic testing programme: 90% of the survey respondents viewed it as helpful or very helpful. Open-ended survey responses and interviews gave insight into participants’ concerns, including those relating to goal drift, risk of false negatives, and potential negative impacts for household members and people whose roles lacked contractual and financial stability. Integration of the consultation findings and the other inputs identified the importance of a whole-system approach with appropriate support for the key control measure of isolation following positive tests. The need to build trust in the testing programme, for example through effective communication from leaders, was also emphasised. Conclusions The consultation, together with other inputs, informed an ethical framework intended to support employers. The framework may support organisational decision-making in areas ranging from design and operation of the programme through to choices about participation. The framework is likely to benefit from further consultation and refinement in new settings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13993-1.

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On an optimal testing strategy for workplace settings operating during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

Optimal Workplace Occupancy Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Optimal Workplace Occupancy Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Modelling the pulse population-wide nucleic acid screening in mitigating and stopping COVID-19 outbreaks in China

Guiding organisational decision-making about COVID-19 asymptomatic testing in workplaces: mixed-method study to inform an ethical framework

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