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How Sure Can We Be about a COVID-19 Test Result if the Tests Are Not Perfectly Accurate?

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  • Allan Dizioli
  • Roberto Pinheiro

Abstract

In this Commentary, we show how the interpretation of test results is affected by a test’s reliability rate. Moreover, we discuss how test fallibility may affect the use of tests as a tool to curb the spread of a disease. In particular, we show how administering inexpensive and less precise tests that can be conducted multiple times may be a more efficient way of curbing the pandemic than administering expensive more precise tests once.

Suggested Citation

  • Allan Dizioli & Roberto Pinheiro, 2021. "How Sure Can We Be about a COVID-19 Test Result if the Tests Are Not Perfectly Accurate?," Economic Commentary, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, vol. 2021(12), pages 1-4, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedcec:91861
    DOI: 10.26509/frbc-ec-202112
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    1. Manski, Charles F. & Molinari, Francesca, 2021. "Estimating the COVID-19 infection rate: Anatomy of an inference problem," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 220(1), pages 181-192.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dizioli, Allan & Pinheiro, Roberto, 2021. "Information and inequality in the time of a pandemic," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).

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