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Sharing our new data on field performance AND public health response using the BinaxNOW TM Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection assay during community-based testing https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa1890/6052342#.X-yS0eNDCCQ.twitter
The infectious period of SARS CoV-2 is short- 10 days for most. For epidemic control, we must identify people with transmissible virus rapidly AND support them to isolate. Frequent and accessible testing with a rapid turnaround should be critical part of our PH response:
We tested 3,302 persons at a transport hub in SF's Mission District. Testing was low-barrier: no appts, no cost, no symptom req., weekend testing day option. @LatinoTask @Jon_Jacobo & Susana Rojas, led door-to-door community mobilization and 66% of the people testing were Latinx
The rapid test was highly sensitive and specific for people with high levels of virus (Ct<30 or <35) for children and adults and people with and without symptoms. Sens. was 100%/98.5%/89% using Ct of 30/35/none. Spec. 99.9%. Overall PCR test positivity=7%,40% of +'s asymptomatic
Rapid testing allows for IMMEDIATE public health action and support for isolation. The median time from registration to results notification was 62 minutes. Among people with symptoms at the time of testing, the median time from symptom onset to isolation was 3 days.
Same-day results allow for same-day services. If someone tested positive, we called the person within an hour and linked them to community resources. The @SF_DPH initiated same-day case investigation and contact training.
Testing is only as good as your response to those who test positive. The community wellness team led by @LatinoTask provided food, supplies, linkage 2 care, longitudinal support, and same-day referral to hotels provided by @sfdph if needed. Model is here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239400
Community partnership +frequent testing with rapid turnaround time + social support for those who test positive is a key part of ending the pandemic and providing an equitable public health response. This should be done in concert with a rapid and equitable vaccine roll-out
Getting geared up for more work in 2021! Tagging #UnidosEnSalud team members on twitter @Jon_Jacobo @LatinoTask @DHavlir @lardidmd @UCSF_HIVIDGM @czbiohub. Website has rapid test training materials(Thank you Genay Pilarowski- first author of this study): http://www.unidosensalud.org
