Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University's Tisch College shows how contact tracing can help contain COVID
MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. (April 22, 2020)-As states like Massachusetts prepare to gradually re-open their economy and restart social life, the Center for State Policy Analysis (cSPA) at Tufts University's Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life uses recent research and case studies of other countries to understand the prospects, risks, and trade-offs of a "Test and Trace" approach.
Key findings:
- Testing capacity in Massachusetts likely needs to increase from the current mark of 5,000-8,000 tests per day to 10,500-17,000 per day.
- Even modestly successful contact-tracing programs in other countries often involve invasive government activity that may not be compatible with U.S. law, the established norms of American life, or modern partisanship.
- The fact that asymptomatic people can spread COVID-19 complicates the work of contact tracing-and puts a premium on speed. Utilizing cell-phone data may help quicken the process, but that raises serious concerns about privacy and surveillance.
- Coordination could be a challenge in Massachusetts, as centralized efforts are still being expanded and contact tracing is typically handled by the 351 cities and towns and centralized efforts are.
- Massachusetts also needs to prepare for potential failure, which means specifying triggers for when to return to lockdown if necessary.
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