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

Sebastian Contreras, Jonas Dehning, Matthias Loidolt, Johannes Zierenberg, F. Paul Spitzner, Jorge H. Urrea-Quintero, Sebastian B. Mohr, Michael Wilczek, Michael Wibral and Viola Priesemann ()
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Sebastian Contreras: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Jonas Dehning: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Matthias Loidolt: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Johannes Zierenberg: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
F. Paul Spitzner: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Jorge H. Urrea-Quintero: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Sebastian B. Mohr: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Michael Wilczek: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Michael Wibral: Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks, University of Göttingen
Viola Priesemann: Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract 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 its spread. For any TTI strategy, however, mitigation is challenged by pre- and asymptomatic transmission, TTI-avoiders, and undetected spreaders, which strongly contribute to ”hidden" infection chains. Here, we study a semi-analytical model and identify two tipping points between controlled and uncontrolled spread: (1) the behavior-driven reproduction number $${R}_{t}^{H}$$ R t H of the hidden chains becomes too large to be compensated by the TTI capabilities, and (2) the number of new infections exceeds the tracing capacity. Both trigger a self-accelerating spread. We investigate how these tipping points depend on challenges like limited cooperation, missing contacts, and imperfect isolation. Our results suggest that TTI alone is insufficient to contain an otherwise unhindered spread of SARS-CoV-2, implying that complementary measures like social distancing and improved hygiene remain necessary.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20699-8

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