Detection of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in daycare centers, schools, and companies for regional pandemic containment by a PCR testing laboratory cooperative between July 2021 and June 2022

Bertram R, Grebenstein L, Gualdi S, Seibold B, Birkmann R, Korn K, Bisping J, Schabik R (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

GMS Hygiene and Infection Control Deutsche Gesellschaft für Krankenhaushygiene

Book Volume: 17

DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000425

Abstract

As an important element in the regional containment of the COVID-19 pandemic a PCR testing laboratory with a cooperative character was founded in spring 2021 to screen for SARS-CoV-2 in the Nuremberg region, Germany. The aim was to detect asymptomatic infections in day care facilities for children, schools, and companies. The laboratory used an established RT-PCR protocol and analyzed approximately 18,500 pools of up to 25 pooled samples each from gargles or swabs ("lolli-pops") from up to 135 facilities between July 2021 and June 2022. Usually, the participating facilities were informed about positive pools within a few hours. Retention samples from positive pools were usually analyzed on the same day, and the results were reported to the facilities as well as the German Electronic Reporting and Information System (DEMIS). In the laboratory results, both the local incidences and the transition from the Delta-to the Omicron surge in early 2022 were well reflected. It is plausible that about 4,800 secondary infections could be prevented from the approximately 1,570 positive individual samples detected in conjunction with appropriate isolation measures. Such a PCR laboratory, which is characterized by short response times and high flexibility, can thus provide valuable services for regional surveil-lance of infection incidence.

Authors with CRIS profile

Klaus Korn Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology

Involved external institutions

Wirtschaftskraft Nürnberger Land GmbH DE Germany (DE) Bisping & Bisping GmbH & Co. KG DE Germany (DE) Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nürnberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Bertram, R., Grebenstein, L., Gualdi, S., Seibold, B., Birkmann, R., Korn, K.,... Schabik, R. (2022). Detection of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in daycare centers, schools, and companies for regional pandemic containment by a PCR testing laboratory cooperative between July 2021 and June 2022. GMS Hygiene and Infection Control, 17. https://doi.org/10.3205/dgkh000425

MLA:

Bertram, Ralph, et al. "Detection of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in daycare centers, schools, and companies for regional pandemic containment by a PCR testing laboratory cooperative between July 2021 and June 2022." GMS Hygiene and Infection Control 17 (2022).

BibTeX: Download