Antigen rapid test screening to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission at mass gathering events.
Project
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CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE To evaluate whether rapid testing is an effective intervention to prevent viral spread, comparative studies of rapid testing versus non-rapid testing are needed.
Summary
Using rapid tests for SARS-CoV-2 to screen participants before mass gathering events is a proposed strategy for conducting events at persistently high infection incidence. The tests' ability to detect infectious participants is uncertain since assessments of test properties (sensitivity / specificity) are based on comparisons with PCR test results. Although a PCR test is highly sensitivte with regard to the presence of virus particles, the test does not provide a clear answer as to whether a person is contagious, e.g. because those who have been infected may have positive test results also when they are no longer contagious. To evaluate whether rapid testing is an effective intervention to prevent viral spread, comparative studies of rapid testing versus non-rapid testing are needed. Randomisation of participants ensures comparable groups, enabling us to assess whether differences in infection levels are due to to differences exposure to the interventions (rapid tests and participation in events). The standard method for measuring COVID-19 prevalence in groups is to perform PCR testing of all participants, which is wha we plan to do.
Project leader
Atle Fretheim, Helsetjenester, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Project participants
Atle Fretheim, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslomet - Oslo Metropolitan University
Arnfinn Helleve, Psykisk og fysisk helse, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Martin Flatø, Senter for fruktbarhet og helse, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Tone Kristin Bjordal Johansen, Avdeling for smittevern og beredskap, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Michael Bretthauer, Departement of Health Economics and Health Management, University of Oslo
Joakim Øverbø, Avdeling for smittevern og vaksine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Siri Laura Feruglio, Avdeling for smittevern og beredskap, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Anne-Marte Bakken Kran, Avdeling for smittevernregistre, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Start
05.05.2021
End
31.07.2021
Status
Active
Project owner/ Project manager
Norwegian Institute of Public Health