Covid-19 international comparative research and rapid knowledge exchange hub on diagnostic testing systems

拟议的研究询问德国和韩国等主要国家如何配置和使用其国家Covid-19诊断检测系统（“检测系统”），以便在其人口中实现相对较低的Covid-19人均死亡率，避免或缩短“封锁”，并减少经济影响。我们将确定有助于有效发挥作用的检测系统的关键要素，包括在危机前采取的促进准备和复原力的措施，以及帮助各国应对快速演变的大流行病的快速创新。我们将解释如何使用测试系统，以及如何克服与测试相关的挑战。这项研究将包括英国的四个国家和另外五个国家。此外，将研究世卫组织、欧盟和大型诊断公司等跨国组织的作用，以了解如何处理增加新冠病毒检测数量和保持检测质量之间的紧张关系。该项目将建立一个英国研究和知识交流中心，促进国际研究团队和政策制定者之间的对话，以便迅速解决相关问题，并将经验教训传播给英国内外的政策制定者和公众。为了支持COVID-19应对工作，将在这个为期12个月的项目的早期阶段共享可交付成果。此外，为了为今后疫情的准备工作提供信息，我们将为寻求从当前危机中吸取教训的国家和国际论坛作出贡献。

The proposed research asks how leading countries such as Germany and South Korea configure and use their national diagnostic testing systems for Covid-19 ('testing systems') in order to have relatively low rates of Covid-19 mortality per capita in their populations, to avoid or shorten 'lock-downs', and reduce economic impacts. We will identify the key elements of testing systems that have contributed to effective performance, including measures taken that have facilitated preparedness and resilience before the crisis, as well as those rapid innovations that have helped countries to deal with a fast evolving pandemic. We will explain how testing systems have been used, and how challenges related to testing have been overcome. The research will include the four nations of the UK and five further countries. Additionally, the role of transnational organisations such as the WHO, EU and large diagnostics companies will be studied to understand how tensions have been managed between increasing the quantity of new tests for Covid-19 and maintaining their quality. The project will establish a UK research and knowledge exchange hub to will facilitate dialogue between the international research team and policy makers so that relevant questions are rapidly addressed and lessons are disseminated to policy makers and public audiences, in the UK, and beyond. In order to support COVID-19 responses deliverables will be shared from the early stages of this 12 month project. Additionally to inform preparations for future outbreaks, we will contribute to national and international fora seeking to learn lessons from the current crisis.