A statistical model of COVID-19 testing in populations: effects of sampling bias and testing errors
Abstract
We develop a statistical model for the testing of disease prevalence in a population. The model assumes a binary test result, positive or negative, but allows for biases in sample selection and both type I (false positive) and type II (false negative) testing errors. Our model also incorporates multiple test types and is able to distinguish between retesting and exclusion after testing. Our quantitative framework allows us to directly interpret testing results as a function of errors and biases. By applying our testing model to COVID-19 testing data and actual case data from specific jurisdictions, we are able to estimate and provide uncertainty quantification of indices that are crucial in a pandemic, such as disease prevalence and fatality ratios.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 22, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1098/rsta.2021.0121
Entities
People
- Lucas Böttcher
- Maria R D'Orsogna
- Tom Chou
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- California State University, Northridge
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- University of California