Efficient SARS-CoV-2 surveillance strategies to prevent deadly outbreaks in vulnerable populations

Background Nursing homes and other long-term care facility (LTCF) settings have borne a disproportionately large burden from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as the combination of age and increased comorbidities place LTCF residents at high risk of severe disease and death [1]. Main text In the absence of empirical data to compare different surveillance schemes, mathematical modeling can provide much needed insights on the implications of different options for targeted surveillance, testing frequency, and test types. Outcomes of universal COVID-19 testing following detection of incident cases in 11 long-term care facilities. Funding DT and KK receive funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [MIND-Healthcare Program award number U01CK000585] and the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service [Center of Innovation - Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) 2.0 Center award number I50HX001240].