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The impact of repeated mass antigen testing for COVID-19 on the prevalence of the disease
Title / Series / Name
Publication Volume
Publication Issue
Pages
Editors
Keywords
Antigen testing
COVID-19
COVID-19 policies
Mass testing
Non-pharmaceutical interventions
Demography
Economics and Econometrics
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
COVID-19
COVID-19 policies
Mass testing
Non-pharmaceutical interventions
Demography
Economics and Econometrics
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14018/27062
Abstract
In the absence of effective vaccination, mass testing and quarantining of positive cases and their contacts could help to mitigate pandemics and allow economies to stay open. We investigate the effects of repeated mass testing on the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, using data from the first ever nationwide rapid antigen testing implemented in Slovakia in autumn 2020. After the first round of testing, only districts above an ex ante unknown threshold of test positivity were re-tested. Comparing districts above and below the threshold, we provide evidence that repeated mass antigen testing can temporarily reduce the number of new infections. Our results suggest that mass testing coupled with the quarantining of positive cases and their contacts could be an effective tool in mitigating pandemics. For lasting effects, re-testing at regular intervals would likely be necessary.
Topic
Publisher
Place of Publication
Type
Journal article
Date
2021-10
Language
ISBN
Identifiers
10.1007/s00148-021-00856-z