Acceptance of different self-sampling methods for semiweekly SARS-CoV-2 testing in asymptomatic children and childcare workers at German Day Care Centers: A nonrandomized controlled trial.

Engels G, Forster J, Streng A, Rücker V, Rudolph P, Pietsch F, Wallstabe J, Wallstabe L, Krauthausen M, Schmidt J, Ludwig T, Bauer C, Gierszewski D, Bendig J, Timme S, Jans T, Weißbrich B, Romanos M, Dölken L, Heuschmann P, Härtel C, Gágyor I, Figge MT, Liese J, Kurzai O (2022) Acceptance of different self-sampling methods for semiweekly SARS-CoV-2 testing in asymptomatic children and childcare workers at German Day Care Centers: A nonrandomized controlled trial. JAMA Netw Open 5(9), e2231798.

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Abstract

Importance: Closure of day care centers (DCCs) to contain the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with negative effects on children's health and well-being.

Objective: To investigate the acceptance of self-sampling methods for continuous SARS-CoV-2 surveillance among asymptomatic children and childcare workers (CCWs) in DCCs.

Design, setting, and participants: This nonrandomized pilot study included children and CCWs at 9 DCCs in Wuerzburg, Germany, from May to July 2021.

Interventions: Twice weekly testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted by self-sampled mouth-rinsing fluid (saliva sampling [SAL], with subsequent pooled polymerase chain reaction test) plus nasal rapid antigen self-test (RAgT) (group 1), SAL only (group 2), or RAgT only (group 3) in children and CCWs.

Main outcomes and measures: Main outcomes were rates for initial acceptance and successful (≥60% of scheduled samples) long-term participation. The probability of SARS-CoV-2 introduction into DCCs was modeled as a function of age-adjusted background incidence and DCC size.