DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Mullane, Marianne J; Thomas, Hannah; Epstein, Melanie; Mandzufas, Joelie; Mullan, Narelle; Whelan, Alexandra; Lombardi, Karen; Barrow, Tina; Ang, Sherlynn; Leahy, Adele; Cameron, Ewan; Lester, Leanne; Cooper, Matt; Stevenson, Paul; Hartman, Mitch; Mitrou, Francis; Zubrick, Stephen R.; Coffin, Juli; Cross, Donna; Bowen, Asha C; Gething, Peter W.

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.636921

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…However, the precise effect of shutting/ reopening schools may depend on the specific setting/country [41]: in countries/territories where community transmission is low, school closing is a non-pharmaceutical intervention characterized by a limited impact, whereas it becomes more relevant in countries where community transmission is higher and more sustained. Some outbreaks have been, indeed, reportedly linked to school communities, for example, in Israel [42], even though other observational studies could not find additional health risks generated by school reopening and in-person attendance [43][44][45][46]. All the aforementioned mathematical models and their analyses led to recommendation of continuing implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as self-isolation and robust test-and-trace measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-pharmaceutical intervention levels to reduce the COVID-19 attack ratio among children

et al. 2022

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The attack ratio in a subpopulation is defined as the total number of infections over the total number of individuals in this subpopulation. Using a methodology based on an age-stratified transmission dynamics model, we estimated the attack ratio of COVID-19 among children (individuals 0–11 years) when a large proportion of individuals eligible for vaccination (age 12 and above) are vaccinated to contain the epidemic among this subpopulation, or the effective herd immunity (with additional physical distancing measures). We describe the relationship between the attack ratio among children, the time to remove infected individuals from the transmission chain and the children-to-children daily contact rate while considering the increased transmissibility of virus variants (using the Delta variant as an example). We illustrate the generality and applicability of the methodology established by performing an analysis of the attack ratio of COVID-19 among children in the population of Canada and in its province of Ontario. The clinical attack ratio, defined as the number of symptomatic infections over the total population, can be informed from the attack ratio and both can be reduced substantially via a combination of reduced social mixing and rapid testing and isolation of the children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-pharmaceutical intervention levels to reduce the COVID-19 attack ratio among children

et al. 2022

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“…However, the precise effect of shutting/reopening schools may depend on the specific setting/country (Stage et al, 2021): in countries/territories where community transmission is low, school closing is a non-pharmaceutical intervention characterized by a limited impact, whereas it becomes more relevant in countries where community transmission is higher and more sustained. Some outbreaks have been, indeed, reported linked to school communities, for example, in Israel (Stein-Zamir et al, 2020), even though other observational studies could not find additional health risks generated by school reopening and in-person attendance (Aiano et al, 2021;Hershow et al, 2021;Mullane et al, 2021;Varma et al, 2021). All the previously mentioned mathematical models recommended to continue implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as self-isolation and robust test-and-trace measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 attack ratio among children critically depends on the time to removal and activity levels

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Scarabel

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The attack ratio in a subpopulation is defined as the total number of infections over the total number of individuals in this subpopulation. Using a methodology based on modified age-stratified transmission dynamics model, we estimated the attack ratio of COVID-19 among children (individuals 0-11 years) in Ontario, Canada when a large proportion of individuals eligible for vaccination (age 12 and above) are vaccinated to achieve herd immunity among this subpopulation, or the effective herd immunity with additional physical distancing measures (hence effective herd immunity). We describe the relationship between this attack ratio among children, the time to remove infected individuals from the transmission chain and the children-to-children daily contact rate, while considering the increased transmissibility of virus variants (using the Delta variant as an example). We further illustrate the generality and applicability of the methodology established by performing an analysis of the attack ratio of COVID-19 among children in the Canadian population. The clinical attack ratio, the number of symptomatic infections over the total population can be informed from the attack ratio, and both can be reduced substantially via a combination of higher vaccine coverage in the vaccine eligible population, reduced social mixing among children, and rapid testing and isolation.

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“…The study protocol is published. 25 Briefly, 40 public schools (28 331 enrolled students and 4023 employed staff) were purposefully selected by the WA Department of Education for participation in the study, ensuring representative inclusion of education support schools, residential colleges and regional schools. Students aged 4–18 years were eligible, with two-thirds at metropolitan schools and one-third at regional schools from across the state ( figure 1 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Complete survey tools have been published previously. 25 Patient and public involvement Community involvement and advice was actively sought in the design and preparation of this study. Procedures and resources were reviewed and approved by a National Community Advisory Group for COVID-19 Research, convened by the Telethon Kids Institute and comprising community members from across Australia, including Aboriginal members.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acceptability of OP/Na swabbing for SARS-CoV-2: a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in Western Australian schools

et al. 2022

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ObjectivesWhen the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, Governments responded with lockdown and isolation measures to combat viral spread, including the closure of many schools. More than a year later, widespread screening for SARS-CoV-2 is critical to allow schools and other institutions to remain open. Here, we describe the acceptability of a minimally invasive COVID-19 screening protocol trialled by the Western Australian Government to mitigate the risks of and boost public confidence in schools remaining open. To minimise discomfort, and optimise recruitment and tolerability in unaccompanied children, a combined throat and nasal (OP/Na) swab was chosen over the nasopharyngeal swab commonly used, despite slightly reduced test performance.Design, setting and participantsTrialling of OP/Na swabbing took place as part of a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in 79 schools across Western Australia. Swabs were collected from 5903 asymptomatic students and 1036 asymptomatic staff in 40 schools monthly between June and September 2020.Outcome measuresPCR testing was performed with a two-step diagnostic and independent confirmatory PCR for any diagnostic PCR positives. Concurrent surveys, collected online through the REDCap platform, evaluated participant experiences of in-school swabbing.Results13 988 swabs were collected from students and staff. There were zero positive test results for SARS-CoV-2, including no false positives. Participants reported high acceptability: 71% of students reported no or minimal discomfort and most were willing to be reswabbed (4% refusal rate).ConclusionsOP/Na swabbing is acceptable and repeatable in schoolchildren as young as 4 years old and may combat noncompliance rates by significantly increasing the acceptability of testing. This kind of minimally-invasive testing will be key to the success of ongoing, voluntary mass screening as society adjusts to a new ‘normal’ in the face of COVID-19.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry—ACTRN12620000922976.

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DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Cited by 10 publications

References 46 publications

Non-pharmaceutical intervention levels to reduce the COVID-19 attack ratio among children

Non-pharmaceutical intervention levels to reduce the COVID-19 attack ratio among children

COVID-19 attack ratio among children critically depends on the time to removal and activity levels

Acceptability of OP/Na swabbing for SARS-CoV-2: a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in Western Australian schools

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