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1.
International Journal on Recent and Innovation Trends in Computing and Communication ; 11:81-94, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2318555

ABSTRACT

Millions of people have been afflicted by the COVID-19 epidemic, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of fatalities throughout the world. Extracting correct data on patients and facilities with and without COVID-19 with high confidence for medical specialists or the government is extremely difficult. As a result, utilizing blockchain technology, a reliable data extraction methodology for the COVID-19 database is constructed. In this accurate data extraction model development and validation study in blockchain technology for COVID analysis, here a novel Hybrid Deep Belief Lionized Optimization (HDBLO) approach is proposed. The weights of the deep model are optimized by the fitness of lion optimization. The implementation of this work is executed using MATLAB software. The simulation outcomes shows the effective performance of proposed model in blockchain technology in COVID paradigm in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), accuracy, F-measure, Processing time, precision and error. Consequently, the proposed approach is compared with the conventional strategies for significant validation. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

2.
Human Remains and Violence ; 8(1):67-83, 2022.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2302437

ABSTRACT

Research into the governance of dead bodies, primarily focused on post-conflict contexts, has often focused on the aspects of the management of dead bodies that involve routinisation, bureaucratisation and order. Less attention has been paid to the governance of the dead in times of relative peace and, in particular, to the aspects of such work that are less bureaucratised and controlled. This article explores the governance of dead bodies in pandemic times – times which although extraordinary, put stress on ordinary systems in ways that are revealing of power and politics. Observations for this article come from over fifteen years of ethnographic research at a medical examiner's office in Arizona, along with ten focused interviews in 2020 with medico-legal authorities and funeral directors specifically about the COVID-19 pandemic. The author argues that the pandemic revealed the ways in which the deathcare industry in the United States is an unregulated, decentralised and ambiguous space.

3.
Health Educ Behav ; 48(1): 9-13, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2255035

ABSTRACT

Online misinformation regarding COVID-19 has undermined public health efforts to control the novel coronavirus. To date, public health organizations' efforts to counter COVID-19 misinformation have focused on identifying and correcting false information on social media platforms. Citing extant literature in health communication and psychology, we argue that these fact-checking efforts are a necessary, but insufficient, response to health misinformation. First, research suggests that fact-checking has several important limitations and is rarely successful in fully undoing the effects of misinformation exposure. Second, there are many factors driving misinformation sharing and acceptance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic-such as emotions, distrust, cognitive biases, racism, and xenophobia-and these factors both make individuals more vulnerable to certain types of misinformation and also make them impervious to future correction attempts. We conclude by outlining several additional measures, beyond fact-checking, that may help further mitigate the effects of misinformation in the current pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , Health Communication/standards , Social Media/standards , Communication , Humans , Pandemics , Public Health , SARS-CoV-2 , Trust
4.
J Behav Med ; 2022 Mar 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2285209

ABSTRACT

Due to cancer survivors' increased vulnerability to complications from COVID-19, addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccine uptake among this population is a public health priority. However, several factors may complicate efforts to increase vaccine confidence in this population, including the underrepresentation of cancer patients in COVID-19 vaccine trials and distinct recommendations for vaccine administration and timing for certain subgroups of survivors. Evidence suggests vaccine communication efforts targeting survivors could benefit from strategies that consider factors such as social norms, risk perceptions, and trust. However, additional behavioral research is needed to help the clinical and public health community better understand, and more effectively respond to, drivers of vaccine hesitancy among survivors and ensure optimal protection against COVID-19 for this at-risk population. Knowledge generated by this research could also have an impact beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic by informing future vaccination efforts and communication with cancer survivors more broadly.

5.
BMC Infect Dis ; 22(1): 960, 2022 Dec 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2196080

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In fall 2020 when schools in the Netherlands operated under a limited set of COVID-19 measures, we conducted outbreaks studies in four secondary schools to gain insight in the level of school transmission and the role of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via air and surfaces. METHODS: Outbreak studies were performed between 11 November and 15 December 2020 when the wild-type variant of SARS-CoV-2 was dominant. Clusters of SARS-CoV-2 infections within schools were identified through a prospective school surveillance study. All school contacts of cluster cases, irrespective of symptoms, were invited for PCR testing twice within 48 h and 4-7 days later. Combined NTS and saliva samples were collected at each time point along with data on recent exposure and symptoms. Surface and active air samples were collected in the school environment. All samples were PCR-tested and sequenced when possible. RESULTS: Out of 263 sampled school contacts, 24 tested SARS-CoV-2 positive (secondary attack rate 9.1%), of which 62% remained asymptomatic and 42% had a weakly positive test result. Phylogenetic analysis on 12 subjects from 2 schools indicated a cluster of 8 and 2 secondary cases, respectively, but also other distinct strains within outbreaks. Of 51 collected air and 53 surface samples, none were SARS-CoV-2 positive. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed within school SARS-CoV-2 transmission and substantial silent circulation, but also multiple introductions in some cases. Absence of air or surface contamination suggests environmental contamination is not widespread during school outbreaks.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , COVID-19/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Netherlands/epidemiology , Phylogeny , Disease Outbreaks , Schools
6.
Clinical Case Studies ; : 1, 2022.
Article in English | Academic Search Complete | ID: covidwho-2162231

ABSTRACT

Conduct disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are highly comorbid, with an estimated prevalence rate of 51.5% for children between 2–17 years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported behavioral parent training program for children with disruptive behavior. PCIT research consistently demonstrates decreases in disruptive behaviors and increases in positive parenting strategies among families of young children with ADHD;however, PCIT has yet to become widely recognized as a treatment for ADHD. This case study presents the treatment of a 6-year-old boy with ADHD and severe behavior problems. The case was further impacted by the single mother's depressive symptoms and internet delivery of PCIT during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from this case report documented an improvement in disruptive child behaviors and emotion regulation and increased positivity during parent–child interactions, despite worsening maternal depressive symptoms. This case study highlights the utility of PCIT to improve child disruptive behaviors and ADHD symptoms in the midst of several complicating factors. [ FROM AUTHOR]

7.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(22)2022 Nov 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2116016

ABSTRACT

The devastating impact of the opioid crisis on children and families in West Virginia was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and brought to light the critical need for greater mental health services and providers in the state. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for child externalizing symptoms that teaches parents positive and appropriate strategies to manage child behaviors. The current qualitative study details barriers and facilitators to disseminating and implementing PCIT with opioid-impacted families across West Virginia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therapists (n = 34) who participated in PCIT training and consultation through a State Opioid Response grant were asked to provide data about their experiences with PCIT training, consultation, and implementation. Almost all therapists (91%) reported barriers to telehealth PCIT (e.g., poor internet connection, unpredictability of sessions). Nearly half of therapists' cases (45%) were impacted directly by parental substance use. Qualitative findings about the impact of telehealth and opioid use on PCIT implementation are presented. The dissemination and implementation of PCIT in a state greatly impacted by poor telehealth capacity and the opioid epidemic differed from the implementation of PCIT training and treatment delivery in other states, highlighting the critical importance of exploring implementation factors in rural settings.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Opioid Epidemic , West Virginia/epidemiology , Pandemics , Parent-Child Relations
8.
Gender in Management ; 37(6):751-762, 2022.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1992482

ABSTRACT

Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to explore an alternative strategy to decrease disadvantaging gender binarism and cis-normativity in an organisational context by including trans* and gender diverse (TGD) employee voices through the development of a safe and brave space (S&BS).Design/methodology/approach>This conceptual paper discusses the potential construction of S&BS and the possible integration as well as requirements of it into an organisational environment. The elaborated theoretical underpinning of a queering approach is used to build the foundation and the design of a potential successful implementation.Findings>Current diversity management strategies are repeatedly reported as inadequate to tackle the issue of gender binarism and cis-normativity or even to reinforce them via various strategies. The integration of S&BS could offer cis as well as TGD people an opportunity to participate in the development of organisational structures and managerial decision-making within a democratic and empowering environment. Managing gender with the support of TGD employees may increase inclusion, equity and diversity of gender in management and organisation.Originality/value>Although much of the management and organisational literature accepts the concept of gender binarism and cis-normativity, the integration of TGD employee voices through the adaptation of S&BS from an educational context into organisational management has not been explored.

9.
J Appalach Health ; 2(3): 69-73, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1912189

ABSTRACT

Connected cancer care is of increasing importance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Linking & Amplifying User-Centered Networks through Connected Health (L.A.U.N.C.H.) Collaborative in Appalachian Kentucky has pioneered a new roadmap for equipping communities with the transformative power of broadband to innovate around the future of cancer care and to better scale their ideas. The roadmap involves reaching across disciplines, including public health, anthropology, telecommunications, and user-centered design. The goal is to leverage connectivity and cancer communication research and practice to make a real difference for patients and families.

10.
J Med Internet Res ; 24(4): e29492, 2022 04 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1883817

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent shifts to telemedicine and remote patient monitoring demonstrate the potential for new technology to transform health systems; yet, methods to design for inclusion and resilience are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to design and implement a participatory framework to produce effective health care solutions through co-design with diverse stakeholders. METHODS: We developed a design framework to cocreate solutions to locally prioritized health and communication problems focused on cancer care. The framework is premised on the framing and discovery of problems through community engagement and lead-user innovation with the hypothesis that diversity and inclusion in the co-design process generate more innovative and resilient solutions. Discovery, design, and development were implemented through structured phases with design studios at various locations in urban and rural Kentucky, including Appalachia, each building from prior work. In the final design studio, working prototypes were developed and tested. Outputs were assessed using the System Usability Scale as well as semistructured user feedback. RESULTS: We co-designed, developed, and tested a mobile app (myPath) and service model for distress surveillance and cancer care coordination following the LAUNCH (Linking and Amplifying User-Centered Networks through Connected Health) framework. The problem of awareness, navigation, and communication through cancer care was selected by the community after framing areas for opportunity based on significant geographic disparities in cancer and health burden resource and broadband access. The codeveloped digital myPath app showed the highest perceived combined usability (mean 81.9, SD 15.2) compared with the current gold standard of distress management for patients with cancer, the paper-based National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (mean 74.2, SD 15.8). Testing of the System Usability Scale subscales showed that the myPath app had significantly better usability than the paper Distress Thermometer (t63=2.611; P=.01), whereas learnability did not differ between the instruments (t63=-0.311; P=.76). Notable differences by patient and provider scoring and feedback were found. CONCLUSIONS: Participatory problem definition and community-based co-design, design-with methods, may produce more acceptable and effective solutions than traditional design-for approaches.


Subject(s)
Mobile Applications , Neoplasms , Telemedicine , Delivery of Health Care , Humans , Kentucky , Neoplasms/therapy , Rural Population
11.
Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses Formation ; 1(2, Supplement):S111-S112, 2022.
Article in French | ScienceDirect | ID: covidwho-1867566

ABSTRACT

Introduction Le Centre Fédératif Prévention Dépistage (CFPD) mène des actions de prévention et de dépistage des maladies infectieuses sur site ou hors les murs auprès des publics précaires depuis 2006. Il est aussi missionné pour répondre aux alertes d'épidémies, auprès des personnes vivant en collectivités, s'intensifiant depuis 2016. Ce travail se fait en partenariat avec le secteur social et s'est ajusté au regard de l'épidémie de Covid. L'objectif de cette étude est de réaliser une synthèse du partenariat ayant participé à la réponse à l'épidémie de Covid auprès des personnes vivant en bidonvilles. Matériels et méthodes Les données sont extraites des tableurs de recueil de dépistage Covid, du logiciel institutionnel pour la vaccination Covid et des bilans des interventions réalisées de mars 2020 à décembre 2021. Résultats La métropole accueille plus de 2000 personnes vivant en bidonvilles, réparties sur plus de 50 terrains. Dès le mois de mars 2020, le CFPD organise une permanence médicale de gestion d'alerte pour les cas covid touchant les populations précaires vivant en squat ou bidonvilles ; une équipe paramédicale et logistique est mise en place rapidement via un financement ARS, pour assurer les dépistages collectifs, contact-tracing et actions de prévention auprès de ce public. Les associations de médiation sociale et de santé renforcent également leurs effectifs par un financement ARS permettant de mener les interventions en binômes. Entre mars 2020 et décembre 2021, 296 signalements PCR + concernant les personnes vivant en bidonvilles ont été traités ; 159 (53,7 %) personnes ont été hospitalisées dont 12 (7,5 %) initialement en réanimation. De même, 538 séances de dépistages collectifs ont été réalisées en partenariat, donnant lieu à 1474 PCR dont 58 positives (4 %), 290 maraudes ont été effectuées, et 108 passages de prévention autour d'un cas. A partir de 01/21, 4 séances de vaccination ont été réalisées auprès de 2 terrains, 31 personnes ont été vaccinées dont 12 avec 2 doses. Des informations et des orientations vers des dispositifs adaptés ont été effectuées. Les difficultés d'accès aux droits santé, la fracture numérique, la méconnaissance, les craintes et le manque de confiance dans le système de santé sont les principaux freins constatés. Conclusion La structuration de l'équipe CFPD depuis plus de 15 ans et les expériences passées de gestion d'épidémies en collaboration avec les associations de médiation ont facilité la mise en oeuvre rapide de mesures de prévention auprès des habitants vivant en bidonvilles. Le soutien de l'ARS par le financement dédié et ciblé d'un renfort aux équipes existantes a permis de maintenir ces actions de prévention au cours de l'épidémie tout en adaptant les modalités d'intervention au contexte. Ainsi, les différents acteurs ont acquis une meilleure connaissance des personnes, de leurs lieux de vie, permettant une meilleure orientation vers des dispositifs adaptés. La pérennisation de ce dispositif permettra de maintenir un lien avec les populations précaires et une veille épidémique, en proposant des actions de prévention globale avec un regard croisé sanitaire et social. Aucun lien d'intérêt

12.
Global Challenges ; 6(5), 2022.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1857013

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing focus in healthcare environments on combatting antimicrobial resistant infections. While bacterial infections are well reported, infections caused by fungi receive less attention, yet have a broad impact on society and can be deadly. Fungi are eukaryotes with considerable shared biology with humans, therefore limited technologies exist to combat fungal infections and hospital infrastructure is rarely designed for reducing microbial load. In this study, a novel antimicrobial surface (AMS) that is modified with the broad‐spectrum biocide chlorhexidine is reported. The surfaces are shown to kill the opportunistic fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans very rapidly (<15 min) and are significantly more effective than current technologies available on the commercial market, such as silver and copper.

13.
Health Education & Behavior ; 48(1):9-13, 2021.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-1738077

ABSTRACT

Online misinformation regarding COVID-19 has undermined public health efforts to control the novel coronavirus. To date, public health organizations' efforts to counter COVID-19 misinformation have focused on identifying and correcting false information on social media platforms. Citing extant literature in health communication and psychology, we argue that these fact-checking efforts are a necessary, but insufficient, response to health misinformation. First, research suggests that fact-checking has several important limitations and is rarely successful in fully undoing the effects of misinformation exposure. Second, there are many factors driving misinformation sharing and acceptance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic-such as emotions, distrust, cognitive biases, racism, and xenophobia-and these factors both make individuals more vulnerable to certain types of misinformation and also make them impervious to future correction attempts. We conclude by outlining several additional measures, beyond fact-checking, that may help further mitigate the effects of misinformation in the current pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

14.
Fam Relat ; 71(2): 475-493, 2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1685296

ABSTRACT

Objective: Our study investigates how changes in family contexts were associated with child behaviors during Ohio's COVID-19 shutdown of early 2020. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused major economic and social changes for families. Rapid research was conducted to assess these changes and their potential impacts on child behaviors. Method: Using a diverse sample of families with children aged birth to 9 years (N = 559), we describe key economic changes and parent-reported stressors experienced during Ohio's shutdown period. Then, we use regression models to examine how these family conditions were associated with child emotional distress and changes in sleep routines. Results: When parents experienced more total COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors, they also reported that their children exhibited more anxious and withdrawn, fearful, acting out, and COVID-19 pandemic-related behaviors (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Families and children living at home in Ohio experienced significant stress during the shutdown. These findings can be used to inform future studies of the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for parents and children. Implications: Families and children have experienced multiple stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers and practitioners should continue to monitor and support families and children to mitigate potential lasting consequences.

16.
13th International Conference on Social Computing and Social Media, SCSM 2021, held as part of the 23rd International Conference, HCI International 2021 ; 12775 LNCS:199-210, 2021.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-1549295

ABSTRACT

The end of the new normal that has resulted from the pandemic is uncertain. Meanwhile the effects of the introduction of new ways of doing things in the field of academic pedagogy are being studied from different perspectives. Within the series of trials and errors in the introduction of new technological teaching systems, greater amount of research is required, especially in populations of adult students who have suffered a deeper impact due to the pandemic, since their lives have changed by carrying out parenting, study and work processes from their homes. Initially, a review of various models that study learning acceptance and student satisfaction was carried out. From them, a series of variables and dimensions were selected developing 5 hypotheses that were arranged to be measured by an information collection instrument that was applied through an online survey to a non-probabilistic sample of 148 adult students. Then, a structural equation model was used to explore online learning acceptance and satisfaction. The model utilizes 3 dimensions: perceived online support services, perceived ease of use, and perceived utility. The main results made evident the key role of the perceived utility of online learning acceptance and student satisfaction. A second finding was the low importance of perceived ease-of-use in accepting online learning and student satisfaction. The authors concluded that several changes can be observed in the perception of students and in how they accomplish satisfaction and learning acceptance, if these are compared to previous studies. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.

17.
Public Health ; 203: 9-14, 2022 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1537003

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Public health control measures at borders have long been central to national strategies for the prevention and containment of infectious diseases. Travel was inevitably associated with the rapid global transmission of COVID-19. In the UK, public health authorities tried to reduce the risks of travel-associated spread by providing public health information at ports of entry. This study investigates risk assessment processes, decision-making and adherence to official advice among international travellers, to provide evidence for future policy on the provision of public health information to facilitate safer international travel. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a qualitative study evaluation. METHOD: International air passengers arriving at the London Heathrow Airport on scheduled flights from China and Singapore were approached for interview after consenting to contact in completed surveys. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone, using two topic guides to explore views of official public health information and self-isolation. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Participants regarded official advice from Public Health England as adequate at the time, despite observing differences with intervention measures implemented in their countries of departure. Most participants also described adopting precautionary measures, including self-isolation and the use of face coverings that went beyond official advice, but reported adherence to guidance on contacting health authorities was more variable. Adherence to the official guidance was informed by the perceived salience of specific transmission possibilities and containment measures assessed in relation to participants' local social and institutional environments. CONCLUSION: Analysis of study findings demonstrates that international air travellers' responses to public health advice constitute a proactive process of risk assessment and rationalised decision-making to guide preventive action. This process incorporates consideration of the current living situation, trust in information sources, correspondence with cultural logics and willingness to accept potential risk to self and significant others. Our findings concerning international passengers' understanding of, and compliance with, official advice and mitigation measures provide valuable evidence to inform future policy and generate recommendations on the presentation of public health information to facilitate safer international travel. Access to a central source of regularly updated official information would help minimise confusion between different national guidelines. Greater attention to the differentiated information needs of diverse groups in creating future public-facing guidance would help to minimise the uncertainties generated by the receipt of generic information.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Public Health , SARS-CoV-2 , Travel , United Kingdom
18.
BMJ Open Respiratory Research ; 8(Suppl 1):A12-A13, 2021.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1501729

ABSTRACT

24 Figure 1Insomnia disorder categories: good sleeper (did not score for insomnia disorder);resolved insomnia (scored for insomnia disorder in pre-confinement);confinement insomnia (scored for insomnia disorder in confinement);and persistent insomnia (scored for insomnia disorder in pre and during confinement)[Figure omitted. See PDF]Abstract 24 Table 1Descriptives on demographic, insomnia, and sleep factors (N=74)

19.
Acad Med ; 96(9): 1263-1267, 2021 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1373679

ABSTRACT

The announcement of the closure of Philadelphia's Hahnemann University Hospital in June 2019 sent shock waves through the academic community. The closure had a devastating impact on the residents and fellows who trained there, the patients who had long received their care there, and faculty and staff who had provided care there for decades. Since its beginnings, the hospital, established as part of Hahnemann Medical College in 1885, was a major site for medical student education. The authors share the planning before and actions during the crisis that protected the educational experiences of third- and fourth-year medical students at Drexel University College of Medicine assigned to Hahnemann University Hospital. The lessons they learned can be helpful to leadership in academic health systems in the United States facing a diminishing number of clinical training sites for medical and other health professions students, a situation that is likely to worsen as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weaken the health care ecosystem.


Subject(s)
Education, Medical, Undergraduate/organization & administration , Health Facility Closure/methods , Hospitals, University/organization & administration , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods , Faculty, Medical/organization & administration , Faculty, Medical/psychology , Humans , Interprofessional Relations , Philadelphia , Students, Medical/psychology
20.
BMJ ; 374: n1676, 2021 Jul 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1329048

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic test accuracy of two rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection on day 5 after exposure. DESIGN: Prospective cross sectional study. SETTING: Four public health service covid-19 test sites in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: 4274 consecutively included close contacts (identified through test-and-trace programme or contact tracing app) aged 16 years or older and asymptomatic for covid-19 when requesting a test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of Veritor System (Beckton Dickinson) and Biosensor (Roche Diagnostics) rapid antigen tests, with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing as reference standard. The viral load cut-off above which 95% of people with a positive RT-PCR test result were virus culture positive was used as a proxy of infectiousness. RESULTS: Of 2678 participants tested with Veritor, 233 (8.7%) had a RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection of whom 149 were also detected by the rapid antigen test (sensitivity 63.9%, 95% confidence interval 57.4% to 70.1%). Of 1596 participants tested with Biosensor, 132 (8.3%) had a RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection of whom 83 were detected by the rapid antigen test (sensitivity 62.9%, 54.0% to 71.1%). In those who were still asymptomatic at the time of sampling, sensitivity was 58.7% (51.1% to 66.0%) for Veritor (n=2317) and 59.4% (49.2% to 69.1%) for Biosensor (n=1414), and in those who developed symptoms were 84.2% (68.7% to 94.0%; n=219) for Veritor and 73.3% (54.1% to 87.7%; n=158) for Biosensor. When a viral load cut-off was applied for infectiouness (≥5.2 log10 SARS-CoV-2 E gene copies/mL), the overall sensitivity was 90.1% (84.2% to 94.4%) for Veritor and 86.8% (78.1% to 93.0%) for Biosensor, and 88.1% (80.5% to 93.5%) for Veritor and 85.1% (74.3% to 92.6%) for Biosensor, among those who remained asymptomatic throughout. Specificities were >99%, and positive and negative predictive values were >90% and >95%, for both rapid antigen tests in all analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivities of both rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts tested on day 5 onwards after close contact with an index case were more than 60%, increasing to more than 85% after a viral load cut-off was applied as a proxy for infectiousness.

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