Assessment of a Multifaceted Approach, Including Frequent PCR Testing, to Mitigation of COVID-19 Transmission at a Residential Historically Black University.

Importance: COVID-19 posed an unprecedented threat to residential colleges in the fall of 2020. While there were mathematical models of COVID-19 transmission, there were no established or tested protocols of COVID-19 testing or mitigation for school administrators to follow. Objective: To investigate the association of a multifaceted COVID-19 mitigation strategy using social, behavioral, and educational interventions and a program of frequent testing with prevalence of disease spread. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study was conducted as a retrospective review of COVID-19 positivity from August 16, 2020, to April 30, 2021, at Delaware State University, a publicly funded historically Black university. Participants included all students, faculty, and staff members with a campus presence. Positivity rates after use of mitigation strategies and testing on campus were compared with those of the surrounding community. Data were analyzed from July through September 2021. Exposures: Mitigation strategies included education and outreach about social distancing, masking, and handwashing, and a COVID-19 testing plan consisted of twice-weekly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening using anterior nasal samples (fall and early spring semester) and then saliva-based samples (middle to late spring semester). Main Outcomes and Measures: Cumulative tests, infections, daily quarantine, and isolation residence hall occupancy were measured, and comparisons were made with statewide COVID-19 positivity rates. Results: The campus cohort included 2320 individuals (1575 resident students, 415 nonresident students, and 330 faculty or staff members). There were 1488 (64.1%) women and 832 (35.9%) men; mean (SD) age was 27.5 (12.9) years. During the fall semester, 36 500 COVID-19 PCR tests were performed. Weekly positivity rates ranged from 0 of 372 tests to 16 of 869 tests (1.8%) (mean [SD] positivity rate, 0.5% [0.5%]; 168 positive results and 36 312 negative results). During the same period, statewide positivity ranged from 589 of 25 120 tests (2.3%) to 5405 of 54 596 tests (9.9%) (mean [SD] positivity rate, 4.8% [2.6%]). In the spring semester, 39 045 PCR tests were performed. Weekly positivity rates ranged from 4 of 2028 tests (0.2%) to 36 of 900 tests (4.0%) (mean [SD] positivity rate, 0.8% [0.9%]; 267 positive results and 38 767 negative results). During the same period, statewide positivity ranged from 1336 of 37 254 tests (3.6%) to 3630 of 42 458 tests (8.5%) (mean [SD] positivity rate, 5.1% [1.3%]). Compared with statewide rates, campus positivity rates were mean (SD) 4.4 (2.6) percentage points lower during the fall semester (P < .001) and mean (SD) 5.6 (1.6) percentage points lower during the spring semester (P < .001). Total daily quarantine and isolation residence hall occupancy ranged from 0 to 43 students in the fall and 1 to 47 students during the spring. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that the combination of campuswide mitigation policies and twice-weekly COVID-19 PCR screening was associated with a significant decrease in COVID-19 positivity at a residential historically Black university campus compared with the surrounding community. Given the socioeconomic demographics of many students at historically Black colleges and universities, keeping these resident campuses open is critical not only to ensure access to educational resources, but also to provide housing and food security.

Learner Driven Call Center to increase Convalescent Plasma Donation in COVID-19

Background. Convalescent plasma (CP) may be obtained from patients who have recovered from the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Although not FDA approved, preliminary data suggests patients who receive convalescent plasma from recovered donors may have shortened recovery time and symptom reduction. The purpose of the study is to detail learner recruitment of convalescent plasma donation (CPD) for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods. Prisma Health Midlands formed a multidisciplinary CP donation team, consisting of seven COVID-19-certified pharmacy learner volunteers, two pharmacists, and two providers. Primary eligibility criteria were SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity at least 28 days prior to donation and asymptomatic for a minimum of 14 days. Donors were excluded based on FDA guidelines for CPD, limiting ineligible contact. Team learners were trained on call techniques and subsequently contacted, educated, and requested candidates donate through this program. Willing donors were then linked to The Blood Connection to circulate CP back into the Prisma Health System, creating a self-sustaining and closed-loop donation cycle. Results. In total, 253 recovered adult patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results were evaluated. 195 patients met baseline inclusion criteria for contact. This pre-screen reduced call and travel time for ineligible candidates. 108 patients were successfully reached. Of the 108, n=79 (73.14%) accepted referral to The Blood Connection, and n=29 (26.85%) were no longer candidates primarily due to patient communicated new exclusionary factors, such as active COVID-19 symptoms. The program allowed for rapid, internal access to CP for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Prisma Health Midlands. Conclusion. Interest and awareness in COVID-19 CPD was successfully increased upon direct communication from the team and was felt to represent a personnel intense but successful model for recruiting potential CP donors. This program educated and utilized learners during this pandemic to enhance Prisma Health's ability to obtain CP for hospitalized patients using a closed system.