Development of a risk assessment profile tool to determine appropriate use of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen detection tests for different activities and events in Ireland, since October 2021

Mallon, Patrick; Horgan, Mary; McAloon, Conor G.; Lunn, Pete; Little, Julian; Beck, Andrew; Bennett, Alexandria; Shaver, Nicole; McConway, Aileen; O’Regan, Rhea; Whelan, Barbara

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.3.2101202

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…The objective of this living scoping review was to provide an overview of risk factors and risk levels of COVID-19 transmission associated with common group activities and settings, as reported by study authors. We included a ‘list of common events and activities’ deemed strategically important to government departments in Ireland provided by the Department of Health (Ireland) Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing, with the goal to inform a risk assessment tool for appropriate use of rapid antigen detection tests 9 as society reopened and restrictions were relaxed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk for common group activities and settings: a living scoping review

Vyas,

Bennett,

Shaver

et al. 2023

European Journal of Public Health

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Background While the modes of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) are well studied, the risk of transmission in various group settings or activities is less clear. This living scoping review aims to summarize the risk factors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread in common group activities (e.g. social gatherings) or settings (e.g. schools, hospitals, shared workplaces) to understand the drivers of transmission and to inform a risk assessment profile tool for use of rapid antigen detection tests. Methods We systematically searched electronic databases, MEDLINE and Embase, from January 2019 until February 2022. We included studies that evaluated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in activities and settings, deemed strategically important to government departments in Ireland, provided by the Department of Health (Ireland) Expert Advisory Group on Rapid Testing. Results After screening 14 052 records, data from 139 studies were narratively synthesized. The risk was consistently reported as ‘high’ for large social events (e.g. weddings) and indoor sports, working in healthcare settings and shared workplaces, working/living in residential settings and travelling via public transportation. Most studies were from healthcare settings, with common risk factors including close contact with COVID-19 cases, working in high-risk departments and inappropriate use of personal protective equipment. For other settings and activities, lack of infection prevention and control practices reportedly contributed to infection transmission. Conclusion The heterogeneity across studies and lack of direct information on dominant variants, preventive measures, vaccination coverage necessitates further research on transmission risk within group activities to inform infection prevention and control measures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk for common group activities and settings: a living scoping review

Vyas,

Bennett,

Shaver

et al. 2023

European Journal of Public Health

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“…More variants are likely to arise, particularly in parts of the world that do not have good access to vaccines and large numbers of immunocompromised individuals. Testing therefore remains critical as part of a risk stratified approach to detect, isolate, and contain the virus, and will be key in facilitating the sustained reopening of society [2] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

User acceptability of saliva and gargle samples for identifying COVID-19 positive high-risk workers and household contacts

McLennan

Barton

Lang

et al. 2022

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease

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“…As the vaccination roll-out progressed, SAM provided detailed comparisons of the behaviours of vaccinated and unvaccinated people who were subject to different restrictions on activities. The detailed information on social activity by location was also used to develop a risk model to determine where rapid testing systems would generate the most benefit (Mallon et al, 2022).…”

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confidence: 99%

Behavioural evidence to inform the COVID-19 pandemic response: Ireland's Social Activity Measure (SAM)

Lunn,

Timmons,

Robertson

et al. 2024

Behav. Public Policy

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Humankind's main defence against the virus that cuases COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), besides vaccine development, was co-ordinated behaviour change. In many countries, co-ordination was assisted by tracking surveys designed to measure self-reported behaviour and attitudes. This paper describes an alternative, complementary approach, which was undertaken in close collaboration with officials in the Department of the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister). We adapted the Day Reconstruction Method (DRM) to develop the ‘Social Activity Measure’ (SAM). The study was conducted fortnightly for 18 months, with findings delivered directly to the Department. This paper describes the method and shows how SAM generated a detailed picture of where and why transmission risk occurred. By using the DRM, we built aggregate measures from narrative accounts of how individuals spent their previous day. SAM recorded the amount, location and type of social activity, including the incidence of close contact and mask-wearing, as well as compliance with public health restrictions by shops and businesses. The method also permitted a detailed analysis of how public perceptions and comprehension are related to behaviour. The results informed government communications and strategies for lifting public health restrictions. The method could be applied to other future situations that might require co-ordinated public behaviour over an extended period.

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Development of a risk assessment profile tool to determine appropriate use of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen detection tests for different activities and events in Ireland, since October 2021

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk for common group activities and settings: a living scoping review

SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk for common group activities and settings: a living scoping review

User acceptability of saliva and gargle samples for identifying COVID-19 positive high-risk workers and household contacts

Behavioural evidence to inform the COVID-19 pandemic response: Ireland's Social Activity Measure (SAM)

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