Oct 2, 2020   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

COVID Testing and Screening Experts Available to Comment on Testing Positive for COVID-19

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at RTI International -- Dr. Pia MacDonald and Dr. Meera Viswanathan -- have been tracking the COVID pandemic since its start using real data and on-the-ground experience from past infectious disease outbreaks to conduct research that provides insights and recommendations for best practices for effective COVID testing, contact tracing and screening processes that curbs infection rates and protects lives.

MacDonald and Viswanathan can provide evidence-based indicators and public health approaches that federal, state and local health officials should be implementing as part of their re-opening measures, outbreak response and containment, public health interventions and disease prevention efforts.

Expert on Testing and Contact Tracing:

    --  Pia MacDonald, MPH, PhD, Global Health Expert at RTI International, is
        using her experience from past epidemics to track the potential spread
        and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her current role, Dr.
        MacDonald's work is focused on emerging infectious diseases and
        strengthening capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to disease
        outbreaks. She has an extensive experience in infectious disease
        epidemiology and surveillance, global health security, public health
        preparedness, and outbreak investigation and response. Dr. MacDonald has
        served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer within the U.S.
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, led projects funded by the
        CDC, Pan American Health Organization, National Association of Country
        and City Health Officials, and the North Carolina Division of Public
        Health.

Expert on COVID Screening Process Effectiveness: 

    --  Meera Viswanathan, PhD, Director of the RTI International-University of
        North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, has new
        research that questions the effectiveness of COVID-19 screening
        practices, including symptom screening in public spaces. Her latest
        research findings revealed that screening methods for COVID-19 used
        across the country have an "extremely high" chance of missing infected
        individuals. She shared that for screening to be effective it needs to
        incorporate three key measures: screening methods that are more
        sensitive and accurate, a robust public health infrastructure with a
        testing plan put into place, and public buy in -- she emphasized that
        testing will not succeed without public acceptance.

To request an interview, email news@rti.org.

About RTI International
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach -- one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.

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SOURCE RTI International