Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.11.20.391011v1?rss=1 Authors: Laws, R. L., Paul, P., Mosites, E., Scobie, H., Clarke, K. E. N., Slayton, R. B. Abstract: Background : Congregate settings are at risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks. Diagnostic testing can be used as a tool in these settings to identify outbreaks and to control transmission. Methods : We used transmission modeling to estimate the minimum number of persons to test and the optimal frequency to detect small outbreaks of COVID-19 in a congregate facility. We also estimated the frequency of testing needed to interrupt transmission within a facility. Results : The number of people to test and frequency of testing needed depended on turnaround time, facility size, and test characteristics. Parameters are calculated for a variety of scenarios. In a facility of 100 people, 26 randomly selected individuals would need to be tested at least every 6 days to identify a true underlying prevalence of at least 5%, with test sensitivity of 85%, and greater than 95% outbreak detection sensitivity. Disease transmission could be interrupted with universal, facility-wide testing with rapid turnaround every three days. Conclusions : Testing a subset of individuals in congregate settings can improve early detection of small outbreaks of COVID-19. Frequent universal diagnostic testing can be used to interrupt transmission within a facility, but its efficacy is reliant on rapid turnaround of results for isolation of infected individuals. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info