Novel method allows for estimates of the escape rate by considering a range of values for A, μ, tI.

We use the same simulations as described in Table 1 and estimate escape rates using Eq (3). Shown are the relative errors of the escape rate estimates. The lower and upper bounds lead to under and over estimates of the escape rate and are calculated using A = 10, tI = −5 days (5 days before peak viral load), μ = 3 × 10−4 and A = 1, tI = 14 days post peak viral load, μ = 3 × 10−5, respectively. The intermediate values are calculate using A = 1.25, tI = 4 days post peak viral load, and μ = 10−4. Lower and upper bounds provide an estimated range for the escape rate, while the intermediate estimate reflects escape rates assuming less extreme parameter choices.