SARS-CoV-2 Control on a Large Urban College Campus Without Mass Testing

O’Donnell, Christopher P.; Brownlee, K. A.; Martin, Elise; Suyama, Joe; Name, Steven Middle; Albert, Steven M.; Anderson, Steven R.; Bhatte, Sai H; Bonner, Kenyon; Burton, Chad M.; Corn, Micaela F; Eng, Heather; Flage, Bethany; Frerotte, Jay; Balasubramani, Goundappa K.; Haggerty, Catherine L.; Haight, Joel M.; Harrison, Lee H.; Hartman, Amy L.; Hitter, Thomas; King, Wendy C.; Ledger, Kate; Marsh, Jane W.; McDonald, Margaret; Miga, Bethany; Moses, Kimberly; Newman, Anne W; Ringler, Meg; Roberts, Mark S.; Sax, Terrie; Shekhar, Anantha; Sterne, Matthew; Tenney, Tyler; Vanek, Marian; Wells, A.; Wenzel, Sally E.; Williams, John V.

doi:10.1101/2021.01.21.21249825

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Consistent with our findings, random testing of asymptomatic people at the University of Pittsburgh yielded a positivity rate of only 0.4% before widespread vaccination [ 4 ]. Among partially vaccinated communities, 1 report indicates that surveillance testing yielded even fewer case detections [ 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology on a Public University Campus in Washington State

Weil

Sohlberg

O’Hanlon

et al. 2021

Open Forum Infectious Diseases

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Background We aimed to evaluate a testing program to facilitate control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a large university and measure spread in the university community using viral genome sequencing. Methods Our prospective longitudinal study used remote contactless enrollment, daily mobile symptom and exposure tracking, and self-swab sample collection. Individuals were tested if the participant was exposed to a known SARS-CoV-2 infected person, developed new symptoms, or reported high-risk behavior (such as attending an indoor gathering without masking or social distancing), a member of a group experiencing an outbreak, or at enrollment. Study participants included students, staff, and faculty at an urban, public university during Autumn quarter of 2020. Results We enrolled 16,476 individuals, performed 29,783 SARS-CoV-2 tests, and detected 236 infections. 75.0% of positive cases reported at least one of the following: symptoms (60.8%), exposure (34.7%), or high-risk behaviors (21.5%). Greek community affiliation was the strongest risk factor for testing positive, and molecular epidemiology results suggest that specific large gatherings were responsible for several outbreaks. Conclusion A testing program focused on individuals with symptoms and unvaccinated persons that participate in large campus gatherings may be effective as part of a comprehensive university-wide mitigation strategy to control the SARS-CoV-2 spread.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology on a Public University Campus in Washington State

Weil

Sohlberg

O’Hanlon

et al. 2021

Open Forum Infectious Diseases

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Motivation to participate was further enhanced through the involvement of student ambassadors to assist with communications and provide peerto-peer support. Student ambassadors have been used successfully to raise health-awareness or advocate health screening programmes in educational settings (e.g., [41,42]: COVID-19 vaccination [43];: COVID-19 communication and mitigation behaviours [44];: HPV vaccination [45];: flu vaccination). Our findings contribute to an emerging evidence-base advocating the role and impact of peer-to-peer student health ambassadors on campus to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 [46].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixed-methods process evaluation of a residence-based SARS-CoV-2 testing participation pilot on a UK university campus during the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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Background Regular testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important strategy for controlling virus outbreaks on university campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic but testing participation rates can be low. The Residence-Based Testing Participation Pilot (RB-TPP) was a novel intervention implemented at two student residences on a large UK university campus over 4 weeks. The aim of the pilot was to increase the frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 saliva testing onsite. This process evaluation aimed to determine whether RB-TPP was implemented as planned and identify implementation barriers and facilitators. Methods A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted alongside the RB-TPP. Evaluation participants were students (opting in, or out of RB-TPP) and staff with a role in service provision or student support. Monitoring data were collected from the intervention delivery team and meeting records. Data were collected from students via online survey (n = 152) and seven focus groups (n = 30), and from staff via individual interviews (n = 13). Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative data thematically. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were mapped to the ‘Capability, Opportunity, Motivation–Behaviour’ (COM-B) behaviour change framework. Results Four hundred sixty-four students opted to participate in RB-TPP (98% of students living onsite). RB-TPP was implemented broadly as planned but relaxed social distancing was terminated early due to concerns relating to national escalation of the COVID-19 Delta variant, albeit testing continued. Most students (97.9%) perceived the period of relaxed social distancing within residences positively. The majority engaged in asymptomatic testing (88%); 46% (52% of testers) were fully compliant with pre-determined testing frequency. Implementation was facilitated by convenience and efficiency of testing, and reduction in the negative impacts of isolation through opportunities for students to socialise. Main barriers to implementation were perceived mixed-messages about the rules, ambivalent attitudes, and lack of adherence to COVID-19 protective measures in the minority. Conclusions This process evaluation identifies factors that help or hinder the success of university residence-based outbreak prevention and management strategies. RB-TPP led to increased rates of SARS-CoV-2 testing participation among students in university residences. Perceived normalisation of university life significantly enhanced student mental wellbeing. The complexity and challenge generated by multiple lines of communication and rapid adaptions to a changing pandemic context was evident. Trial registration number UKAS 307727–02-01; Pre-results. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05045989; post-results (first posted, 16/09/21). Ethical approval Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, University of Nottingham (Ref: FMHS 96-0920)

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SARS-CoV-2 Control on a Large Urban College Campus Without Mass Testing

Cited by 2 publications

References 18 publications

SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology on a Public University Campus in Washington State

SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology on a Public University Campus in Washington State

Mixed-methods process evaluation of a residence-based SARS-CoV-2 testing participation pilot on a UK university campus during the COVID-19 pandemic

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