Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 26, 2021

Feasibility and Utility of Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 in a University Residence a Cross Sectional Study

Category:

Topic:

Keywords (Tags):

  • [Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] An evaluation of a rapid testing program among 1141 resident students and staff at a university in British Columbia found that the use of rapid antigen tests was feasible, inexpensive, and increased sensitivity for detection of active SARS-CoV-2 infections. The testing program utilized the BD Veritor COVID-19 rapid antigen test and participants were invited to test up to 3 times per week. Mean number of tests per person was 3 and mean duration between tests was 7 days. 25 RT-PCR positive tests and 8 false positive rapid antigen tests were detected, all of whom were asymptomatic. 98% of participants reported rapid antigen testing was acceptable or very acceptable and 97% reported they would come back again for another test. The authors suggest that rapid antigen screening programs could potentially interrupt transmission chains and reduce overall community spread of COVID-19.

Wong et al. (May 26, 2021). Feasibility and Utility of Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 in a University Residence a Cross Sectional Study. Pre-print downloaded May 26 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.24.21257732