Sweeney-Reed, Catherine M. and Wolff, Doreen and Hoernschemeyer, Sarah and Fasshauer, Henriette and Haase, Antonia and Schomburg, Dirk and Niggel, Jakob and Kabesch, Michael and Apfelbacher, Christian (2021) Feasibility of a surveillance programme based on gargle samples and pool testing to prevent SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in schools. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 11 (1): 19521. ISSN 2045-2322
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School closures have a negative impact on physical and mental well-being, and education, of children and adolescents. A surveillance programme to detect asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection could allow schools to remain open, while protecting the vulnerable. We assessed the feasibility of a programme employing gargle samples and pool testing of individually extracted RNA using rRT-qPCR in a primary and a secondary school in Germany, based on programme logistics and acceptance. Twice a week, five participants per class were selected to provide samples, using an algorithm weighted by a risk-based priority score to increase likelihood of case detection. The positive response rate was 54.8% (550 of 1003 pupils). Logistics evaluation revealed the rate-limiting steps: completing the regular pre-test questionnaire and handing in the samples. Acceptance questionnaire responses indicated strong support for research into developing a surveillance programme and a positive evaluation of gargle tests. Participation was voluntary. As not all pupils participated, individual reminders could lead to participant identification. School-wide implementation of the programme for infection monitoring purposes would enable reminders to be given to all school pupils to address these steps, without compromising participant anonymity. Such a programme would provide a feasible means to monitor asymptomatic respiratory tract infection in schools.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | COVID-19; UK |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Aug 2022 04:56 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Aug 2022 04:56 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/46800 |
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