Optimum utilization of COVID-19 Testing Kits using the Principles of Computer Science Binary Search Algorithm in Pooled Sample Testing

Abstract

Amid the ongoing global outbreak of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) epidemic, most countries of the world are working to maximize their testing capacity to fight against COVID-19. For developing countries like India, this COVID-19 testing capacity building activity seems a monstrous task, specifically due to a global shortage of testing kits and naive phase of domestic productions of testing kits. The research communities and government organizations across the world are trying to devise a methodology to grapple with this global shortage of testing kits. Pooled Sample Testing is one such methodology that has emerged recently which utilizes the testing kits optimally, where the positivity rate is low. For optimal utilization of testing kits, this article provides the theoretical study of using Computer Science, Data Structure Binary Search Algorithm in Pooled Sample testing methodology of COVID-19. The article explains how using new methodology there can be a further reduction in the number of testing kits required for identifying individual positive specimens.