SARS-CoV-2 Drive/Walk-Thru screening centers in Colombia: The CoVIDA project

Abstract

Objective:The CoVIDA project is a public-private collaboration led by Universidad de los Andes that contributed to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological surveillance in Bogotá and nearby municipalities. We aimed to describe the development and performance of the Drive/Walk-through free RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy implemented by CoVIDA. Material and method: We performed a descriptive analysis of the characteristics and performance of the CoVIDA Drive/Walk-through testing centers. The model and the process indicators to assess the model's performance were based on international experiences and scientific literature. Two screening centers were implemented in shopping centers in the north and south of Bogotá. We reported the number of tests taken, the number of positive tests, and the number of participants that used the model by the type of occupations. Results: In total, 36,689 nasopharyngeal RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 were performed with a 5.75% cumulative positivity. Process indicators showed an excellent performance and an important contribution in reducing barriers to access to testing. Conclusions: the CoVIDA Drive/Walk-through testing centers supported the epidemiological surveillance in asymptomatic or mild-symptomatic population in Bogotá. Low and middle-income countries can use this model as a cost-effective and innovative solution strategy to intensify testing and help mitigate the pandemic.

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in close contacts of adults at high risk of infection due to occupation: results from the contact tracing strategy of the CoVIDA epidemiological surveillance study in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2020–2021

“… 8 The study recruited from two main testing centres and home visits in Bogotá and provided results within 48 hours. 9 The CoVIDA study involved a TTI strategy with contact tracing to support traditional surveillance actions performed by the local health authorities. The strategy aimed to identify household-related, social-related and work-related close contacts of primary cases detected by the CoVIDA study and to determine the transmission dynamics of an adult population with high mobility across the city and high risk of infection due to their occupations.…”

“…The CoVIDA study is the largest intensified sentinel epidemiological surveillance study in Colombia thus far, performing over 60 000 RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection 8. The study recruited from two main testing centres and home visits in Bogotá and provided results within 48 hours 9. The CoVIDA study involved a TTI strategy with contact tracing to support traditional surveillance actions performed by the local health authorities.…”