Repetitive saliva‐based mass screening as a tool for controlling SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission in nursing homes

Abstract

Nursing home (NH) residents and staff have been severely affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine the use of weekly saliva RT‐qPCR testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection among NH workers as a strategy to control disease transmission within NHs in Belgium. From 16 November to 27 December 2020, a voluntary and anonymous weekly screening was implemented in a cohort of 50,000 workers across 572 NHs in the Walloon region of Belgium to detect asymptomatic cases of SARS‐CoV‐2 via saliva RT‐qPCR testing and using the Diagenode saliva sample collection device. Positive workers were isolated to avoid subsequent infections in residents and other staff. RT‐qPCR testing was based on pooled saliva sampling techniques from three workers, followed by individual testing of each positive or inconclusive pool. The majority of NHs (85%) and 55% of their workers participated. Pooling did not affect sensitivity as it only induced a very decrease in sensitivity estimated as 0.33%. Significant decreases in the prevalence (34.4–13.4%) and incidence of NHs with either single (13.8–2%) or multiple positive workers (3.7–0%) were observed over time. In addition, deaths among NH residents and NH worker absences decreased significantly over time. Weekly saliva RT‐qPCR testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 demonstrated large‐scale feasibility and efficacy in disrupting the chain of transmission. Implementation of this testing strategy in NHs could also be extended to other settings with the aim to control viral transmission for maintaining essential activities.

Where is Omicron? Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and Antigen Test Sensitivity at Commonly Sampled Anatomic Sites Over the Course of Disease

“…1 Due to the complexity of NP sampling and associated discomfort, anterior nares (AN), nasal mid-turbinate (MT), and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs and expectorated saliva have emerged as commonly employed sample types for some assays. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] AN and MT sampling are employed in at-home rapid antigen tests with US Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization. 9 The emergence of the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, regional differences in sampling practices, and recent social media trends have reignited debate over the most effective method for sample collection in persons suspected of having COVID-19.…”

Decision-based interactive model to determine re-opening conditions of a large university campus in Belgium during the first COVID-19 wave

“…Likewise, in the other scenarios, the number of saved cases would increase: for instance, in Alternative 5 (combined measures scenario), 13,851 contaminations would have been prevented (instead 11,733). A meta-analysis [12] indicated that the sensitivity of saliva testing similar to the one used in this study was evaluated as Se = 0.95 [0.80-0.99]. The considered value Se = 0.65 therefore appears as a clearly safe lower bound.…”

Factors influencing the adoption and participation rate of nursing homes staff in a saliva testing screening programme for COVID-19

“…The saliva testing procedure (sensitivity of 68% [ 18 ]) was subject to a standard organizational procedure as previously described [ 19 – 21 ] and summarized in five steps in Box 1 .…”