May 6, 2021

Implementation of SARS-CoV2 Screening in K-12 Schools Using In-School Pooled Molecular Testing and Deconvolution by Rapid Antigen Test

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): schools, testing

• [Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Large-scale implementation of pooled testing for routine screening of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was demonstrated to be feasible across 592 schools in Massachusetts between January and April 2021. During the study period, 259,726 individuals were tested across 50,636 pools (mean swabs per pool = 7) with a median turnaround time of 21 hours. The pool positive rate was 0.8%. Among positive pools (mean cycle threshold for N1 viral target was 26.1), deconvolution using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test to detect a positive individual within the pool was successful in 93% of pools. Less than 1% of samples resulted in unsatisfactory specimens. An evaluation survey identified the need for additional staffing support for successful program implementation.

Pollock et al. (May 5, 2021). Implementation of SARS-CoV2 Screening in K-12 Schools Using In-School Pooled Molecular Testing and Deconvolution by Rapid Antigen Test. Pre-print downloaded May 6 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.03.21256560