A study of universal SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing of residents and staff in a large group of care homes in South London

Abstract

Background

Care homes have experienced a high number of COVID-19 related deaths of residents since the onset of the pandemic. However, up to May 2020, there has been a lack of information about the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in residents and staff in care homes and limited testing in this setting.

Results

Overall, the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 6.5% with a higher rate in residents (9.0%) than in staff (4.7%). A key finding was the high proportion of asymptomatic infection detected in staff (69%) and residents (51%) with evidence of under-detection of symptoms by care home staff.

Conclusions

The high proportion of asymptomatic infection combined with under detection of symptoms by care home staff indicates that offering a test to all residents and staff in care homes with rapid reporting of results would assist accurate identification of infected individuals, facilitating prompt infection prevention and control action.

Methods

Combined nose and throat swab testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was carried out in 2455 residents and staff across 37 care homes in the London Borough of Bromley across a three-week period. Results were reported within 24 hours of sample delivery and data were collected on the presence or absence of symptoms.