The challenges of containing SARS-CoV-2 via test-trace-and-isolate

Title data

Contreras, Sebastian ; Dehning, Jonas ; Loidolt, Matthias ; Zierenberg, Johannes ; Spitzner, F. Paul ; Urrea-Quintero, Jorge H. ; Mohr, Sebastian B. ; Wilczek, Michael ; Wibral, Michael ; Priesemann, Viola:
The challenges of containing SARS-CoV-2 via test-trace-and-isolate.
In: Nature Communications. Vol. 12 (2021) . - No. 378.
ISSN 2041-1723
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20699-8

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Without a cure, vaccine, or proven long-term immunity against SARS-CoV-2, test-trace-and-isolate (TTI) strategies present a promising tool to contain the viral spread. For any TTI strategy, however, a major challenge arises from pre- and asymptomatic transmission as well as TTI-avoiders, which contribute to hidden, unnoticed infection chains. In our semi-analytical model, we identified two distinct tipping points between controlled and uncontrolled spreading: one, at which the behavior-driven reproduction number of the hidden infections becomes too large to be compensated by the available TTI capabilities, and one at which the number of new infections starts to exceed the tracing capacity, causing a self-accelerating spread. We investigated how these tipping points depend on realistic limitations like limited cooperativity, missing contacts, and imperfect isolation, finding that TTI is likely not sufficient to contain the natural spread of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, complementary measures like reduced physical contacts and improved hygiene probably remain necessary.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Chair Theoretical Physics I > Chair Theoretical Physics I - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Wilczek Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Nonlinear Dynamics Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Chair Theoretical Physics I Profile Fields Profile Fields > Advanced Fields
Result of work at the UBT:	No
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 530 Physics
Date Deposited:	18 Feb 2022 11:41
Last Modified:	18 Feb 2022 11:41
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/67606