Abstract
Background
Little is known about how asymptomatic testing as a method to control the transmission of COVID-19 can be successfully implemented, and the prevalence of asymptomatic infection within university populations. The aim of this study was to describe the methodology of implementing a novel asymptomatic mass testing programme, and to report the number of positive cases diagnosed during the study period. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection within a UK university population using reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) as a molecular diagnostic tool.
Methods
An observational study was undertaken to describe the set-up and implementation of a novel COVID-19 testing programme on a UK university campus between Sept 28 and Dec 18, 2020. Students and staff members volunteered for testing throughout the term. The programme used RT-LAMP testing to identify asymptomatic cases within the population. Any positive cases received RT-PCR testing to confirm the result using the current gold-standard testing methodology.
Findings
1673 tests were done using RT-LAMP during the study period, of which nine were positive for COVID-19. This gave an overall positivity rate of 0·54%, equivalent to a rate in the tested population of 538 cases per 100 000 over the duration of testing. All positive tests were also found to be positive on RT-PCR testing, giving a false positive rate of 0%. Uptake was affected by changes to delivery of university teaching, leading to lower attendance on campus throughout the term.
Interpretation
This study shows that it is possible to rapidly set up a universal university testing programme for COVID-19 in collaboration with local health-care providers using RT-LAMP testing, with full concordance between RT-LAMP testing and RT-PCR testing on positive RT-LAMP results. Positive results were similar to those in the local population, although with a different weekly peak of infection.
Funding
None.
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
The Screening Programme for Autumn Term 2020 was supported by core funding from the University of Leicester. ALH acknowledges funding from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health at the University of Leicester, a partnership between Public Health England and the University of Leicester. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, Public Health England or the Department of Health and Social Care. MDT is supported by a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award (WT202849/Z/16/Z), and an NIHR Senior Investigator Award, and is partially supported by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre; the views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Acknowledgments
Contributors
CB, RCA, JAS, and MDT were involved in the initial design and ongoing implementation. NJB and PNB provided steering for the project, with GWH providing project management. CMC and RCA implemented the university laboratory RT-LAMP testing, and CWH implemented the RT-PCR testing. RCB provided operational management of the programme. CB drafted the Abstract, with all other authors reviewing and offering feedback.
Declaration of interests
We declare no competing interests.