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Is large-scale rapid CoV-2 testing a substitute for lockdowns?

Author

Listed:
  • Marc Diederichs

    (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz)

  • René Glawion

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Peter G. Kremsner

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Timo Mitze

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Gernot Müller

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Dominik Papies

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Felix Schulz

    (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz)

  • Klaus Wälde

    (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz)

Abstract

Various forms of contact restrictions have been adopted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Around February 2021, rapid testing appeared as a new policy instrument. Some claim it may serve as a substitute for contact restrictions. We evaluate the effects of a unique policy experiment: In March and April 2021, the city of T¨ubingen set up a testing scheme while relaxing contact restrictions. We compare case rates in Tübingen county to an appropriately identified control unit. The experiment led to an increase in the reported case rate. This increase is robust across alternative statistical specifications. An epidemiological model that corrects for ’more cases due to more testing’ and ’reduced testing and reporting during the Easter holiday’ also confirms the finding.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Diederichs & René Glawion & Peter G. Kremsner & Timo Mitze & Gernot Müller & Dominik Papies & Felix Schulz & Klaus Wälde, 2021. "Is large-scale rapid CoV-2 testing a substitute for lockdowns?," Working Papers 2112, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, revised 08 Mar 2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:jgu:wpaper:2112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abadie, Alberto & Diamond, Alexis & Hainmueller, Jens, 2011. "Synth: An R Package for Synthetic Control Methods in Comparative Case Studies," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 42(i13).
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