Dataset Information

Analysis of COVID-19 Infection Chains in a School Setting: Data From a School-Based rRT-PCR-Gargle Pool Test System.

ABSTRACT:

Background

School testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was implemented in some countries to monitor and prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmissions. Here, we analyze infection chains in primary schools and household members of infected students based on systematic real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (rRT-PCR)-gargle pool testing.

Methods

Students and school staff (N = 4300) of all 38 primary schools in the rural county of Cham, Germany, were tested twice per week with a gargle pool rRT-PCR system from April to July of 2021. Infection chains of all 8 positive cases identified by school testing were followed up.

Results

In total, 8 positive cases were found by gargle pool PCR testing based on 96,764 school tests. While no transmissions occurred in the school setting, 20 of 27 household members of the 8 cases tested positive. The overall attack rate was 74.1% in families.

Conclusions

No school outbreaks occurred during the study period. All cases but 1 were initially picked up by school testing. No transmission from school to families was observed.

SUBMITTER: Gruendl M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9947041 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Analysis of COVID-19 Infection Chains in a School Setting: Data From a School-Based rRT-PCR-Gargle Pool Test System.

Gruendl Magdalena M Kheiroddin Parastoo P Althammer Michael M Schöberl Patricia P Rohrmanstorfer René R Wallerstorfer Daniel D Ambrosch Andreas A Kabesch Michael M

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness 20230215

<h4>Background</h4>School testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was implemented in some countries to monitor and prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmissions. Here, we analyze infection chains in primary schools and household members of infected students based on systematic real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (rRT-PCR)-gargle pool testing.<h4>Methods</h4>Students and school staff (<i>N</i> = 4300) of all 38 primary schools in the rural county of Cham, ...[more]

PMID: 36789767

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background: Opening schools and keeping children safe from SARS-CoV-2 infections at the same time is urgently needed to protect children from direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, a safe, efficient, and cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 testing system for schools in addition to standard hygiene measures is necessary. Methods: We implemented the screening WICOVIR concept for schools in the southeast of Germany, which is based on gargling at home, pooling of samples in schools, and assessment of SARS-CoV-2 by pool rRT-PCR, performed decentralized in numerous participating laboratories. Depooling was performed if pools were positive, and results were transmitted with software specifically developed for the project within a day. Here, we report the results after the first 13 weeks in the project. Findings: We developed and implemented the proof-of-concept test system within a pilot phase of 7 weeks based on almost 17,000 participants. After 6 weeks in the main phase of the project, we performed >100,000 tests in total, analyzed in 7,896 pools, identifying 19 cases in >100 participating schools. On average, positive children showed an individual CT value of 31 when identified in the pools. Up to 30 samples were pooled (mean 13) in general, based on school classes and attached school staff. All three participating laboratories detected positive samples reliably with their previously established rRT-PCR standard protocols. When self-administered antigen tests were performed concomitantly in positive cases, only one of these eight tests was positive, and when antigen tests performed after positive pool rRT-PCR results were already known were included, 3 out of 11 truly positive tests were also identified by antigen testing. After 3 weeks of repetitive WICOVIR testing twice weekly, the detection rate of positive children in that cohort decreased significantly from 0.042 to 0.012 (p = 0.008). Interpretation: Repeated gargle pool rRT-PCR testing can be implemented quickly in schools. It is an effective, valid, and well-received test system for schools, superior to antigen tests in sensitivity, acceptance, and costs.

Dataset Information

Analysis of COVID-19 Infection Chains in a School Setting: Data From a School-Based rRT-PCR-Gargle Pool Test System.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Analysis of COVID-19 Infection Chains in a School Setting: Data From a School-Based rRT-PCR-Gargle Pool Test System.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets