Modelling population-wide screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection for containing COVID-19 pandemic in Okinawa, Japan
Abstract
Background
To break the chains of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, population-wide testing is practiced in various countries. However, scant research has addressed this topic in Japan.
Materials and Methods
In this modelling exercise, we extracted the number of daily reported cases of COVID-19 in Okinawa from October 1 to November 30, 2020 and explored possible scenarios for decreasing COVID-19 incidence by combining population-wide screening and/or social distancing policy.
Results
We reveal that permanent lockdown can be replaced by mass testing that mobilizes sufficient target population at an adequate frequency. In addition, solely imposing a circuit breaker will not bring a favorable outcome in the long-term, and mass testing presents implications for minimizing a period of lockdown.
Discussion
Our results highlight the importance of incentivizing citizens to join the frequent testing and ensure their appropriate isolation. To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, rigorous investment in public health is manifestly vital.
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