Test Pooling

I’m a mathematician who lives - like many Americans - in a community with a shortage of test supplies. I have been struck by the idea of test pooling - where samples from multiple people are tested with one test kit to stretch the tests out. I have spent the day working out optimal testing protocols for stretching the tests as far as possible. I know that the protocol mentioned in the article from my local paper (see below) is different - and by my estimates less efficient - than what I came up with. If anyone could get me in contact with someone who has studied this sort of thing before, I would appreciate it. I would like to know if the basic assumptions I’ve made are valid enough to be helpful. If so, I’d like decision makers to see it.