Introduction: Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students’ ongoing education. Through the roll out of high-throughput school-based SARS-CoV-2 testing, enhanced follow-up for individuals exposed to COVID-19 and wellbeing surveys, this study investigates the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the current psychosocial wellbeing impacts of the pandemic in school communities. Methods: The DETECT Schools Study is a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in 79 schools across Western Australia (WA), Australia. To investigate the incidence, transmission and impact of SARS-CoV-2 in schools, the study comprises three “modules”: Module 1) Spot-testing in schools to screen for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2; Module 2) Enhanced surveillance of close contacts following the identification of any COVID-19 case to determine the secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 in a school setting; and Module 3) Survey monitoring of school staff, students and their parents to assess psycho-social wellbeing following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in WA. Clinical Trial Registration: Trial registration number: ACTRN12620000922976
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, mental health, Screening, School, child health, wellbeing, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, survey, children, COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 virus, Transmission, secondary attack rate, Schools, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, Asymptomatic, Surveillance, SARS-CoV-2 testing, attack rate, clinical, Impact, Transmission dynamics, Community, Follow-up, incidence, First wave, close contact, balance, registration number, not significant, available data, COVID-19 case, individual, potential risk, Trial Registration Number, module, parent, mind, roll, while, peace, enhanced, determine, prospective observational cohort, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, 【제목키워드】 Impact, Prospective,