School closures have a negative impact on physical and mental well-being, and education, of children and adolescents. A surveillance programme to detect asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection could allow schools to remain open, while protecting the vulnerable. We assessed the feasibility of a programme employing gargle samples and pool testing of individually extracted RNA using rRT-qPCR in a primary and a secondary school in Germany, based on programme logistics and acceptance. Twice a week, five participants per class were selected to provide samples, using an algorithm weighted by a risk-based priority score to increase likelihood of case detection. The positive response rate was 54.8% (550 of 1003 pupils). Logistics evaluation revealed the rate-limiting steps: completing the regular pre-test questionnaire and handing in the samples. Acceptance questionnaire responses indicated strong support for research into developing a surveillance programme and a positive evaluation of gargle tests. Participation was voluntary. As not all pupils participated, individual reminders could lead to participant identification. School-wide implementation of the programme for infection monitoring purposes would enable reminders to be given to all school pupils to address these steps, without compromising participant anonymity. Such a programme would provide a feasible means to monitor asymptomatic respiratory tract infection in schools.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Disease prevention, Policy and public health in microbiology, Viral transmission, 【초록키워드】 feasibility, SARS-COV-2 infection, children, Infection, respiratory tract infection, Schools, Participation, Asymptomatic, Surveillance, Germany, response, implementation, Algorithm, Research, School, respiratory, gargle, questionnaire, Pupils, acceptance, lead, response rate, open, secondary school, Support, participant, positive response, class, logistics, positive, extracted RNA, MONITOR, pupil, Mental, FIVE, physical, likelihood, selected, detect, indicated, feasible, participated, 【제목키워드】 Surveillance, outbreak, School, Prevent,