Cost-effectiveness Analysis of COVID-19 Case Isolation

6 Pages Posted: 18 May 2020

See all articles by Nader Mahmoudi

Nader Mahmoudi

University of Newcastle (Australia) - Newcastle Business School

Adrian Melia

University of Newcastle (Australia)

Doowon Lee

Newcastle Business School

Craig Dalton

School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle

Francesco Paolucci

University of Newcastle (Australia) - Newcastle Business School

Date Written: May 18, 2020

Abstract

Among the several pandemic intervention measures, two main strategies are proposed to isolate a COVID-19 patient with mild symptoms, isolating in the home which the patient may be sharing with other household members or isolating the patient in a hotel room to prevent his/her interaction with other householders. Australia practices home-isolation of confirmed cases with mild symptoms, suspected cases (people with symptoms awaiting laboratory results) and close contacts of cases, which ultimately increases the risk of infection of other household members regardless of their numerous hygienic actions. In this study, we use a decision tree model to compare the cost of these alternatives and provide insightful recommendations for policymakers and government members regarding the most cost-effective way of isolating a COVID-19 patient. Although, the cost of isolating a confirmed case in his/her home in an average Australian household, $1,248.00, is lower than the total cost of isolating a confirmed case in a hotel room, $4,069.80, we report that the decision should be reversed depending on the household size and the secondary household attack rate.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, self-isolation, cost-effectiveness analysis, decision tree

Suggested Citation

Mahmoudi, Nader and Melia, Adrian and Lee, Doowon and Dalton, Craig and Paolucci, Francesco, Cost-effectiveness Analysis of COVID-19 Case Isolation (May 18, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3603711 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3603711

Nader Mahmoudi

University of Newcastle (Australia) - Newcastle Business School ( email )

Hunter St &, Auckland St
Newcastle, NSW 2300
Australia

Adrian Melia

University of Newcastle (Australia) ( email )

University Drive
Callaghan, NSW 2308
Australia

Doowon Lee (Contact Author)

Newcastle Business School ( email )

1 University Drive
Callaghan
Newcastle, NSW
Australia
+61 2 4921 8620 (Phone)

Craig Dalton

School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle ( email )

Newcastle
Australia

Francesco Paolucci

University of Newcastle (Australia) - Newcastle Business School ( email )

City Campus East – 231
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 8ST, NE1 8ST
Australia

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