Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): J. Stemler (1, 2, 3), T. Kramer (1, 2), V. Dimitriou (1, 4), S. Schumacher (1, 2), R. Sprute (1, 2), U. Wieland (5), M. Oberste-Frielinghaus (6), G. Wiesmüller (7), H. Rau (8), C. Lehmann (1), M. Hellmich (6), G. Langebartels (9), O. Cornely (1, 2, 3, 10)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, ECMM, Germany, (2) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Chair Translational Research, CECAD, Germany, (3) German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (4) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Chair Translational Research, CECAD, (5) University of Cologne, Institute of Virology, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (6) University of Cologne, Institute of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (7) Department of Public Health, City Counsil of Cologne, Germany, Germany, (8) Department of Social Affairs, Integration and Environment, City Counsil of Cologne, Germany, Germany, (9) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department for Clinical affairs and Crisis management, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (10) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), Cologne, Germany, Germany
Background:
The Covid-19 pandemic is a global threat, while the elderly population and residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) are particularly affected by high morbidity and mortality. Adequate protection must be provided for this risk group, while at the same time attending to their mental health. The aim of the project is to reduce visit precautions and improve social contacts and mental health through frequent screening of LTCF staff and visitors.
Methods:A prospective, interventional regional pilot study was conducted under real-life conditions during the period from Oct 15th, until Dec. 19th, 2020. Two “interventional” LTCF whose staff/visitors were tested on a voluntary basis for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab and two non-interventional LTCF without surveillance testing. A mobile testing station with smartphone-based test result delivery was utilized and PCR analyses were pooled. Visitors who received a negative test result were eligible for facilitated visiting arrangements up to 72 hrs. Statistical analysis included comparative assessment on occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in residents of LTCF.
Results:A total of 1783 tests were carried out. After subtracting tests from external persons, 1585 tests were included in the evaluation. Of these, 26 tests were positive, 23 employees and 3 visitors. SARS-CoV-2 infections among residents were 76 in the interventional LTCF and 20 in the non-internventional (p>0.05) The Ct value was above 27 in half (50 %) of the positive tests suggesting early or late detection of SARS-COV-2 infected persons. Up to a Ct value of 27, rapid antigen tests reliably detect infection with SARS-CoV-2. Overall, only a small proportion of staff and visitors had been tested. Of the 3150 visitors during the period, 726 were tested. On the 335 staff in the interventional LCTFs, 892 tests were performed.
Conclusions:Despite PCR-based surveillance testing, it has not been possible to prevent occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. It is likely that testing on a voluntary basis is not sufficient. It appears that mainly staff is introducing SARS-CoV-2 infections in LTCF. Therefore, a general ban on visits does not seem reasonable. Rapid tests may not always reliably detect infections, especially as part of screening of asymptomatic persons.
Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): J. Stemler (1, 2, 3), T. Kramer (1, 2), V. Dimitriou (1, 4), S. Schumacher (1, 2), R. Sprute (1, 2), U. Wieland (5), M. Oberste-Frielinghaus (6), G. Wiesmüller (7), H. Rau (8), C. Lehmann (1), M. Hellmich (6), G. Langebartels (9), O. Cornely (1, 2, 3, 10)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, ECMM, Germany, (2) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Chair Translational Research, CECAD, Germany, (3) German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (4) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Chair Translational Research, CECAD, (5) University of Cologne, Institute of Virology, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (6) University of Cologne, Institute of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (7) Department of Public Health, City Counsil of Cologne, Germany, Germany, (8) Department of Social Affairs, Integration and Environment, City Counsil of Cologne, Germany, Germany, (9) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department for Clinical affairs and Crisis management, Cologne, Germany, Germany, (10) University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Clinical Trials Centre Cologne (ZKS Köln), Cologne, Germany, Germany
Background:
The Covid-19 pandemic is a global threat, while the elderly population and residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) are particularly affected by high morbidity and mortality. Adequate protection must be provided for this risk group, while at the same time attending to their mental health. The aim of the project is to reduce visit precautions and improve social contacts and mental health through frequent screening of LTCF staff and visitors.
Methods:A prospective, interventional regional pilot study was conducted under real-life conditions during the period from Oct 15th, until Dec. 19th, 2020. Two “interventional” LTCF whose staff/visitors were tested on a voluntary basis for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab and two non-interventional LTCF without surveillance testing. A mobile testing station with smartphone-based test result delivery was utilized and PCR analyses were pooled. Visitors who received a negative test result were eligible for facilitated visiting arrangements up to 72 hrs. Statistical analysis included comparative assessment on occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in residents of LTCF.
Results:A total of 1783 tests were carried out. After subtracting tests from external persons, 1585 tests were included in the evaluation. Of these, 26 tests were positive, 23 employees and 3 visitors. SARS-CoV-2 infections among residents were 76 in the interventional LTCF and 20 in the non-internventional (p>0.05) The Ct value was above 27 in half (50 %) of the positive tests suggesting early or late detection of SARS-COV-2 infected persons. Up to a Ct value of 27, rapid antigen tests reliably detect infection with SARS-CoV-2. Overall, only a small proportion of staff and visitors had been tested. Of the 3150 visitors during the period, 726 were tested. On the 335 staff in the interventional LCTFs, 892 tests were performed.
Conclusions:Despite PCR-based surveillance testing, it has not been possible to prevent occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. It is likely that testing on a voluntary basis is not sufficient. It appears that mainly staff is introducing SARS-CoV-2 infections in LTCF. Therefore, a general ban on visits does not seem reasonable. Rapid tests may not always reliably detect infections, especially as part of screening of asymptomatic persons.