Howell-Spooner, B; Dalidowicz, M. What is the accuracy of diagnostic tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2? 2020 Jul 21; Document no.: EPM072101-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 42 p. (CEST evidence search report)
· Diagnostic accuracy of tests for SARS CoV-2 varies based on the type of test, target antigen, type of sample and time of testing.
· There is heterogeneity in clinical performance of rapid antigen tests; however, clinical sensitivity is lower than amplification-based assays.
· Information is limited about test strategies that combine multiple approaches (e.g. molecular and serological methods) but may add value by increasing sensitivity and specificity.
Williams-Roberts, H; Waldner, C; Dalidowicz, M; Howell-Spooner, B. What is the accuracy of diagnostic tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2? 2020 Jul 23; Document no.: EPM072101 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 13 p. (CEST rapid review report)
Dalidowicz, M. Is pooled testing for COVID-19 equally as reliable as individual testing and what are the optimal pool testing sizes? 2020 Aug 12; Document no.: EOC081301-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 8 p. (CEST evidence search report)
· Pool testing for COVID-19 can be equal to individual testing in terms of sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative prediction rates
· Pooled testing is optimal for use when disease prevalence is low, as prevalence increases, optimal pool sizes decrease and efficiency is lost
· At a prevalence of approximately 1%, optimal pool sizes have been found to be up to 13
· Pools of 5 were found to be equally efficient and could be done using 50% less tests up to a prevalence of 5%
· Recommended for use in large scale asymptomatic screening, highest viral load occurs before symptoms so less likely to miss borderline positive in convalescent stage
· Not recommended for clinical diagnostic use
Badea, A; Muhajarine, N; Dalidowicz, M. Is pooled testing for COVID-19 equally as reliable as individual testing and what are the optimal pool testing sizes? 2020 Aug 14; Document no.: EOC081301 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 19 p. (CEST rapid review report)
Howell-Spooner, B; Mueller, M. What laboratory surveillance testing strategies are effective for COVID-19 in school settings? 2020 Aug 25; Document no.: PH082501-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 15 p. (CEST evidence search report)
· The CDC does not recommend universal symptom screening (all students in K-12 grades) to be done by schools prior to entry
· Schools/districts should individually work with public health officials to determine the necessity and details of implementing any testing strategies
· European CDC recommends that all symptomatic individuals and asymptomatic high-risk close contacts should be referred for testing – fast and effective contact tracing following testing is key
· Large scale universal testing in school settings has not been studied and it’s efficacy compared to implementation of other infection prevention control measures is unknown
· Large scale testing in school settings to date has largely been done in response to an outbreak, not as routine surveillance
Badea, A; Muhajarine, N; Howell-Spooner, B; Mueller, M. What laboratory surveillance testing strategies are effective for COVID-19 in school settings? 2020 Aug 27; Document no.: PH082501 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 23 p. (CEST rapid review report)
Young, C; Fox, L. What surveillance strategy is most effective for COVID-19 testing in healthcare workers? 2020 Nov 6; Document no.: EOC110401-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 30 p. (CEST evidence search report)
An optimal surveillance strategy for COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) has yet to be determined.
Weekly screening of HCWs for infection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing would reduce their contribution to SARS-CoV-2 transmission by approximately one quarter.
Any testing surveillance strategy should be in addition to other strategies already in place to identify symptomatic HCW.
Any strategy needs to take into consideration the availability of testing (i.e. feasibility) and the level of community transmission (i.e. the risk of asymptomatic HCWs entering the facility and spreading the virus).
HCWs could be categorized as high, medium, or low risk based upon their exposure to COVID-19 and the frequency of surveillance could be designed accordingly.
Newaz, S; Lee, S; Reeder, B; Groot, G; Young, C; Fox, L. What surveillance strategy is most effective for COVID-19 testing in healthcare workers? 2020 Nov 10; Document no.: EOC110401 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 26 p. (CEST rapid review report)
Dalidowicz, M; Young, C. How effective is surveillance antigenic testing? 2021 Jan 29; Document no.: EOC012601-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 32 p. (CEST evidence search report).
Dalidowicz, M; Mueller, M. What are the efficacies and outcomes of Point-of-Care/Antigen testing in Long Term care? 2021 Feb 5; Document no.: LTC020201-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 22 p. (CEST evidence search report)
