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)
Ellsworth, C; Fox, L. Is there evidence of risks for using infrared thermometers? 2020 Aug 27; Document no.: EOC082502-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 11 p. (CEST evidence search report)
· Infrared thermometers detect the infrared waves emitted by an object and convert into an electrical signal to display the distribution of temperature
· Infrared thermometers do not emit radiation, however many are equipped with a laser tracker beam, similar to that found in television remote controls
· The Pineal Gland is located deep inside the brain, separated from the forehead by the presence of the skull and several centimeters of brain tissue
Badea, A; Groot, G; Ellsworth, C; Fox, L. Is there evidence of risks for using infrared thermometers? 2020 Aug 29; Document no.: EOC082502 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 12 p. (CEST rapid review report)
Badea, A; Reeder, B; Groot, G; Dalidowicz, M; Fox, L. Is there evidence that children under 18 should receive an mRNA vaccine booster/3rd dose? 2022 Feb 04, Document no.: EOC220102 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2022. (CEST table).
The CDC has released a recommendation that all adolescents 12-17 be offered booster vaccines using only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, at least 5 months following the primary series
The CDC guidelines follow the review of unpublished Israeli data of 12-15 year olds vaccinated 5-6 months prior showing an equivalent infection rate to unvaccinated, and that those who receive boosters are at about 1/3 of the risk
Health Canada has not yet approved booster doses for general use in 12-17 year olds, however NACI has recommended that boosters, at least 6 months following the primary series, should be considered for the following groups within that age group
o Those with an underlying medical condition at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 (including those who are immunocompromised and received a 3-dose primary series)
o Those who are residents in congregate settings (e.g. shelters, group homes, quarters for migrant workers, correctional facilities)
o Those who belong to racialized and/or marginalized communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19
Badea, A; Reeder, B; Groot, G; Dalidowicz, M; Fox, L. Is there evidence that children under 18 should receive the booster to increase their immunity? 2022 Feb 04, Document no.: EOC220102 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2022. 8 p. (CEST rapid review report).
Dalidowicz, M; Fox, L. Is there evidence that children under 18 should receive the booster to increase their immunity? 2022 Apr 06, Document no.: EOC220102v002 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2022. 11 p. (CEST rapid review report).
Rowein S, Singh S, Habbick M, Mehdiyeva K, Miller L, Gagneur, A, Groot G, Neudorf C, Camillo CA, Tokhmafshan, F, Muhajarine N. Motivational Interviewing for Vaccine Hesitancy. May 2022. Document no.: [12.1]. CoVaRR-Net Public Health, Health Systems, Social Policy Team, c2022.
Young, C; Mueller, M. What are the best practices for COVID-19 response and control in indigenous populations in Northern Saskatchewan and in on-reserve communities? 2020 Apr 24; Document no.: EPM040901-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 24 p. (CEST evidence search report)
Dalidowicz, M; Ellsworth, C. What COVID-19 community transmission indicators are used in school reopening plans? 2020 Aug 12; Document no.: EOC081201-01 ESR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2020. 12 p. (CEST evidence search report)
