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Can we test ourselves out of the Covid-19 pandemic?

04 March 2021, 4:00 pm–6:00 pm

Covid testing results

A symposium to explore the opportunities and challenges of mass testing as an exit strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Availability

Yes

Cost

Free

Organiser

Irene Petersen

Location: Registration via Eventbrite for Zoom - event hosted by Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) and chaired by Anushka Asthana (The Guardian).

On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic. A year on, we are still in the midst of it and many people are questioning how and when we may be able to return to our normal lives. 

As several countries in Europe are now easing restrictions we will explore how mass asymptomatic testing may become one of the most important tools to reduce transmission, help to open the societies and bring the pandemic under control.

In 2020, independent research teams in the United Kingdom and US came up with the proposal to implement population testing of asymptomatic individuals as an exit strategy for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Modelling studies have since demonstrated the feasibility of population testing in university and workplace settings. Testing programmes are currently being implemented in schools across the world. However, there are still many challenges in rolling-out large scale test programmes. Yet, mass testing could be a game changer in opening society. 

Professor Irene Petersen and Anushka Asthana will be speaking to:

  • Associate Professor Michael Mina, Harvard University
  • Professor Tim Peto, Oxford University
  • Professor Iain Buchan, Liverpool University
  • Eric Kutscher, New York University School of Medicine
  • Ryan Wain – Advisor at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Programme

TimeSession
16:00 – 16:15Introduction  –  Professor Irene Petersen, UCL & Anushka Asthana, The Guardian
16:15 – 16:30Mass testing as an exit strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic – Associate   Professor Michael Mina, Harvard University 
16:30 – 16:45A new tool in the toolbox – evaluation of lateral flow tests - Professor Tim Peto, University of Oxford
16:45 – 17:00Integrating lateral flow tests in civic COVID-19 responses – experiences from Liverpool – Professor Iain Buchan, Liverpool University
17:00 – 17:15Mitigating Risk among Asymptomatic Individuals Newly Diagnosed with Covid-19 -  Eric Kutscher, New York University School of Medicine
17:15 - 17:30The Role of Mass Testing In Reopening the Society - Ryan Wain – Advisor at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
17:30 – 17:55  Debate led by Anushka Asthana
17:55 – 18:00Summary - Irene Petersen