Clinical and Public Health

The Optimise Study is a highly innovative joint study between the Doherty Institute and the Burnet Institute that will provide the Victorian and Federal Governments with timely and high-quality data to assist in making informed, precise and impactful policy during the COVID-19 response. The study will establish two cohorts that will be followed for 12 months: people newly diagnosed with COVID-19 and in isolation and their close contacts, and another group made up of general members of the community undertaking physical distancing. This data will inform a strategic approach to optimise reductions in new cases, while releasing the economic and social pressure of physical distancing. New behavioural, diagnostics and public health interventions can be trialled through the Optimise platform.