Distributed Test, Track and Trace System as a Contributor to Epidemic Containment Management

The outcome of the recent novel Coronavirus pandemic is profound and particularly poignant when countries like South Korea, who have learned from previous pandemics, appear to be better able to respond to the challenge. Since lock down due to the novel Coronavirus of 2019, the Government of the United Kingdom has adopted retrospective testing and a smartphone application for contact tracing as part of its retroactive test, track and trace strategy. However, to thwart future epidemics, this paper proposes that a different approach should be adopted in preparation for the next epidemic. This consists of a distributed system solution comprising front-end testing nodes at the borders as well as test laboratories connected to a backend cloud-based data processing and data storage system. This core system can be used to test, track and trace infection hotspots at the start of an epidemic to avoid significant outbreaks in the United Kingdom. This hotspot data can be made available to local authorities so that more informed decisions can be made regarding approaches to contain any infectious viral spread. This would need to involve traditional epidemiological track and trace surveillance activities to understand the propagation effect; and therefore, understand the resultant disease coverage in the community so that mitigation measures can be successfully applied in a timelier fashion.