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A Test-to-Stay Modified Quarantine Program for COVID-19 in Schools.
Schechter-Perkins, Elissa M; Doron, Shira; Johnston, Russell; Hay, Jeremiah; Berlin, David; Ciaranello, Andrea; Nelson, Sandra B; Gormley, Jenny M; Smole, Sandra C; Brown, Catherine M; Madoff, Lawrence C; Branch-Elliman, Westyn.
  • Schechter-Perkins EM; Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Doron S; Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Johnston R; Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Malden, Massachusetts.
  • Hay J; Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Berlin D; CIC Health, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • Ciaranello A; Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Nelson SB; Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Gormley JM; Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Smole SC; Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Brown CM; Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Madoff LC; Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Branch-Elliman W; Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Pediatrics ; 149(5)2022 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1674088
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES:

Mandatory quarantine upon exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in a substantial number of lost days of school. We hypothesized that implementation of a state-wide test-to-stay (TTS) program would allow more students to participate in in-person learning, and not cause additional clusters of COVID-19 cases due to in-school transmission.

METHODS:

For the 2020-2021 academic year, Massachusetts implemented an opt-in TTS program, in which students exposed to COVID-19 in school are tested each school day with a rapid antigen test. If negative, students may participate in school-related activities that day. Testing occurs daily for a duration of 7 calendar days after exposure. Here, we report the results from the first 13 weeks of the program.

RESULTS:

A total of 2298 schools signed up for TTS, and 504 167 individuals out of a total population of 860 457 consented. During the first 13 weeks with complete data, 1959 schools activated the program at least once for 102 373 individual, exposed students. Out of 328 271 tests performed, 2943 positive cases were identified (per person positivity rate, 2.9%, 95% confidence interval, 2.8-3.0). A minimum of 325 328 and a maximum of 497 150 days of in-person school were saved through participation in the program.

CONCLUSIONS:

Daily, rapid on-site antigen testing is a safe and feasible alternative to mandatory quarantine and can be used to maximize safe in-person learning time during the pandemic.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Quarantine / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Quarantine / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article