Test and contact tracing: two wings to get rid of COVID-۱۹ pandemic, until we get the vaccine

The most important COVID-۱۹ diagnostic test, RT-PCR, detects the presence of the SARS-CoV-۲ genome in the upper respiratory tract. Extensively performing the COVID-۱۹ RT-PCR test is one of the key indicators of success in controlling the newly emerged pandemic. Meanwhile, according to the worldometers webpage, Iran with about ۴۹,۰۰۰ tests per million people, ranked ۱۱۴th in the world (August, ۲۰۲۰) (۱).Extensive testing alone is not enough for the control of the COVID-۱۹ pandemic; a much more important indicator called "contact tracing" and its subsequent safety measures must be accompanied to control this unbridled virus. Testing and contact tracing are the two wings of flight to get out of this crisis. If the test is performed but the patient's previous communications are not being traced and subsequent safety precautions are not being taken, we are wasting the costs of the tests. While widespread, accessible, free of charge, public, and active RT-PCR testing, is quite cost-effective if being accompanied by contact tracing of positive samples (۲).