ERIC Number: EJ1333056
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-May
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Evaluation of a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Program in a Supervised Community Distance Learning Setting for K-8 Students
Lee, Ryan C.; Soto, Daniel W.; Deva, Sohini; Macedo, Marisol; Shanker, Kush; Rodriguez, Anna; Alhajri, Danyah; Unger, Jennifer B.
Journal of School Health, v92 n5 p445-451 May 2022
Background: School-based COVID-19 testing is a potential strategy to limit COVID-19 transmission among youth in congregate settings such as schools, sports programs, and summer camps. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of frequent rapid antigen testing at a supervised distance-learning setting for elementary and middle school children while their schools were closed. Methods: This evaluation examines participation rates and testing data in addition to qualitative analysis of focus groups from a Los Angeles City-sponsored rapid antigen testing pilot program. In total, 434 children and staff were enrolled in the 13-week pilot program in the spring of 2021. Results: In this pilot program, 2482 rapid antigen tests were administered, resulting in 3 positive test results, 1 of which was a false positive (confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing) and 0 outbreaks or community spread. Conclusions: Throughout this pilot program, implementing rapid antigen tests allowed for the quick identification and isolation of potentially COVID-19-positive children, improved perceived safety for parents and staff who interact with children, and demonstrated the ability for staff and non-health care professionals in a school-based setting to implement a widespread COVID-19 screening program with minimal training.
Descriptors: Program Evaluation, COVID-19, Pandemics, Diagnostic Tests, Distance Education, Elementary School Students, Program Effectiveness, Middle School Students, Community Programs, Disease Control
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Health and Human Services
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A