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Resources Required for Implementation of SARS‐CoV ‐2 Screening in Massachusetts K‐12 Public Schools in Winter/Spring 2021
Author(s) -
Lee Stephanie S.,
Weitz Michelle,
Ardlie Kristin,
Bantham Amy,
Schuckel Michele Fronk,
Goehringer Katey,
Hogue Caitlin,
Hosking Rosy,
Mortimer Kathleen,
Saadat Alham,
SeamanChandler Jill,
Linas Benjamin P.,
Ciaranello Andrea
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.13152
Subject(s) - spring (device) , covid-19 , virology , public health , medicine , environmental health , engineering , nursing , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , mechanical engineering , pathology
BACKGROUND The financial costs and human resource requirements at the school and district level to implement a SARS‐CoV‐2 screening program are not well known. METHODS A consortium of Massachusetts public K‐12 schools was formed to implement and evaluate a range of SARS‐CoV‐2 screening approaches. Participating districts were surveyed weekly about their programs, including: type of assay used, individual vs. pooled screening, approaches to return of results and deconvolution of positive pools, number and type of personnel, and hours spent implementing the screening program, and hours spent on program implementation. RESULTS In 21 participating districts, over 21 weeks from January to June 2021, the positivity rate was 0.0% to 0.21% among students and 0.0% to 0.13% among educators/staff. The average weekly cost to implement a screening program, including assay and personnel costs, was $17.00 per person tested; this was $46.68 for individual screenings and $15.61 for pooled screenings. The total weekly costs by district ranged from $1,644 to $93,486, and districts screened between 58 and 3675 people per week. CONCLUSIONS Where screening is recommended for the 2021 to 2022 school year due to high COVID‐19 incidence, understanding the human resources and finances required to implement screening will assist district policymakers in planning.