DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Marianne J. Mullane; Hannah M. Thomas; Melanie Epstein; Joelie Mandzufas; Narelle Mullan; Alexandra Whelan; Karen Lombardi; Tina Barrow; Sherlynn Ang; Adele Leahy; Ewan Cameron; Leanne Lester; Matt Cooper; Paul Stevenson; Mitch Hartman; Anne McKenzie; Francis Mitrou; Stephen R. Zubrick; Juli Coffin; Donna Cross; Asha C. Bowen; Peter Gething

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.636921

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DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Marianne J. Mullane, Hannah M. Thomas, Melanie Epstein, Joelie Mandzufas, Narelle Mullan, Alexandra Whelan, Karen Lombardi, Tina Barrow, Sherlynn Ang, Adele Leahy, …

Frontiers in public health, Vol.9, p.636921

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.636921

PMID: 33692984

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Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Science & Technology

Introduction: Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education. Through the roll out of high-throughput school-based SARS-CoV-2 testing, enhanced follow-up for individuals exposed to COVID-19 and wellbeing surveys, this study investigates the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the current psychosocial wellbeing impacts of the pandemic in school communities. Methods: The DETECT Schools Study is a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in 79 schools across Western Australia (WA), Australia. To investigate the incidence, transmission and impact of SARS-CoV-2 in schools, the study comprises three "modules": Module 1) Spot-testing in schools to screen for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2; Module 2) Enhanced surveillance of close contacts following the identification of any COVID-19 case to determine the secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 in a school setting; and Module 3) Survey monitoring of school staff, students and their parents to assess psycho-social wellbeing following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in WA. Clinical Trial Registration: Trial registration number: ACTRN12620000922976

Details

Title: DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools
Authors/Creators: Marianne J. Mullane - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Hannah M. Thomas - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Melanie Epstein - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Joelie Mandzufas - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Narelle Mullan - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Alexandra Whelan - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Karen Lombardi - Edith Cowan University
Tina Barrow - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Sherlynn Ang - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Adele Leahy - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Ewan Cameron - Curtin University
Leanne Lester - Cancer Council Western Australia
Matt Cooper - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Paul Stevenson - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Mitch Hartman - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Anne McKenzie - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Francis Mitrou - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Stephen R. Zubrick - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Juli Coffin - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Donna Cross - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Asha C. Bowen - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Peter Gething - Curtin University
Publication Details: Frontiers in public health, Vol.9, p.636921
Publisher: Frontiers Media Sa
Number of pages: 10
Grant note: DoH20205875 / Western Australian Department of Health Channel 7 Telethon Trust, Western Australia GNT 1119339 / National Health and Medical Research Council Research Fellowship; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia
Identifiers: 991005560445407891
Copyright: © 2021 Mullane, Thomas, Epstein, Mandzufas, Mullan, Whelan, Lombardi, Barrow, Ang, Leahy, Cameron, Lester, Cooper, Stevenson, Hartman, McKenzie, Mitrou, Zubrick, Coffin, Cross, Bowen and Gething.
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.104 Virology - General; 1.104.1353 Coronavirus Research
Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general