Optimising 'Test and Trace' Systems: Early Lessons From a Comparative Analysis of Six Countries

22 Pages Posted: 7 Oct 2020

See all articles by Joshua Moon

Joshua Moon

Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU); University of Sussex

Choon Key Chekar

Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU)

David Barberá

Polytechnic University of Valencia

Gail Davey

University of Sussex - Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Sibylle Gaisser

Ansbach University of Applied Sciences

Tobias Gaisser

Ansbach University of Applied Sciences

Collins Iwuji

Africa Health Research Institute

Enrique Meseguer

Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) - Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management, INGENIO (CSIC-UPV)

James G Ryan

CIRCA Group Europe Ltd.

Michael M. Hopkins

University of Sussex

Date Written: September 17, 2020

Abstract

‘Test and Trace’ systems are key components of national responses to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Each country has its own set of measures for testing COVID-19 cases, finding contacts, and isolating and supporting those affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This article presents early results from a comparative analysis of six countries; Germany, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, and the UK. Using evidence from publicly available sources, the paper presents analyses of testing systems in the study countries, using a Find, Test, Trace, Isolate, and Support (FTTIS) framework. The article demonstrates that no single study country has a fully optimised FTTIS system, with lessons to be learned for all from international comparisons. Findings emphasise lessons for the countries studied as well as general lessons of wider relevance on the potential scope of FTTIS systems. In particular, the need for openness and evaluation is emphasised as an integral part of the FTTIS system, to support continual assessment, learning, evolution and international sharing of good practice.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, rt-PCR, prevention, early detection, public health

Suggested Citation

Moon, Joshua and Chekar, Choon Key and Barberá, David and Davey, Gail and Gaisser, Sibylle and Gaisser, Tobias and Iwuji, Collins and Meseguer, Enrique and Ryan, James G and Hopkins, Michael M., Optimising 'Test and Trace' Systems: Early Lessons From a Comparative Analysis of Six Countries (September 17, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3694441 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3694441

Joshua Moon

Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) ( email )

Jubilee Building
Falmer
Brighton, Sussex BN1 9SL
United Kingdom

University of Sussex ( email )

Sussex House
Falmer
Brighton, Sussex BNI 9RH
United Kingdom

Choon Key Chekar

Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) ( email )

Jubilee Building
Falmer
Brighton, BN1 9SN
United Kingdom

David Barberá

Polytechnic University of Valencia ( email )

Camino de Vera, s/n
Valencia, Valencia 46022
Spain

Gail Davey

University of Sussex - Brighton and Sussex Medical School ( email )

Biology Road
Falmer
Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9PX
United Kingdom

Sibylle Gaisser

Ansbach University of Applied Sciences ( email )

Germany

Tobias Gaisser

Ansbach University of Applied Sciences ( email )

Germany

Collins Iwuji

Africa Health Research Institute

719 Umbilo Road
K-RITH Tower Building, level 3
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4001
South Africa

Enrique Meseguer

Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) - Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management, INGENIO (CSIC-UPV) ( email )

Camino de Vera s/n, Edif.8E, Univ.Politec.Valencia
Valencia, 46022
Spain

James G Ryan

CIRCA Group Europe Ltd. ( email )

26 Upper Pembroke St.
Dublin 2, D02 X361
Ireland
0872456402 (Phone)
+3536620365 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.circa.ie

Michael M. Hopkins (Contact Author)

University of Sussex ( email )

Sussex House
Falmer
Brighton, Sussex BNI 9RH
United Kingdom

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