학술논문

Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a large public university
Document Type
Original Paper
Author
Ranoa, Diana Rose E.Holland, Robin L.Alnaji, Fadi G.Green, Kelsie J.Wang, LeyiFredrickson, Richard L.Wang, TongWong, George N.Uelmen, JohnnyMaslov, SergeiWeiner, Zachary J.Tkachenko, Alexei V.Zhang, HantaoLiu, ZhiruIbrahim, AhmedPatel, Sanjay J.Paul, John M.Vance, Nickolas P.Gulick, Joseph G.Satheesan, Sandeep PuthanveetilGalvan, Isaac J.Miller, AndrewGrohens, JosephNelson, Todd J.Stevens, Mary P.Hennessy, P MarkParker, Jr, Robert C.Santos, EdwardBrackett, CharlesSteinman, Julie D.Fenner, Jr, Melvin R.Dohrer, KirstinDeLorenzo, MichaelWilhelm-Barr, LauraBrauer, Brian R.Best-Popescu, CatherineDurack, GaryWetter, NathanKranz, David M.Breitbarth, JessicaSimpson, CharliePryde, Julie A.Kaler, Robin N.Harris, ChrisVance, Allison C.Silotto, Jodi L.Johnson, MarkValera, Enrique AndresAnton, Patricia K.Mwilambwe, LowaBryan, Stephen P.Stone, Deborah S.Young, Danita B.Ward, Wanda E.Lantz, JohnVozenilek, John A.Bashir, RashidMoore, Jeffrey S.Garg, MayankCooper, Julian C.Snyder, GillianLore, Michelle H.Yocum, Dustin L.Cohen, Neal J.Novakofski, Jan E.Loots, Melanie J.Ballard, Randy L.Band, MarkBanks, Kayla M.Barnes, Joseph D.Bentea, IulianaBlack, JessicaBusch, JeremyConte, AbigailConte, MadisonCurry, MichaelEardley, JenniferEdwards, AprilEggett, ThereseFleurimont, JudesFoster, DelaneyFouke, Bruce W.Gallagher, NicholasGastala, NicoleGenung, Scott A.Glueck, DeclanGray, BrittaniGreta, AndrewHealy, Robert M.Hetrick, AshleyHolterman, Arianna A.Ismail, NahedJasenof, IanKelly, PatrickKielbasa, AaronKiesel, TeresaKindle, Lorenzo M.Lipking, Rhonda L.Manabe, Yukari C.Mayes, Jade ́McGuffin, ReubinMcHenry, Kenton G.Mirza, AghaMoseley, JadaMostafa, Heba H.Mumford, MelodyMunoz, KathleenMurray, Arika D.Nolan, MoiraParikh, Nil A.Pekosz, AndrewPflugmacher, JannaPhillips, Janise M.Pitts, CollinPotter, Mark C.Quisenberry, JamesRear, JanelleRobinson, Matthew L.Rosillo, EdithRye, Leslie N.Sherwood, MaryEllenSimon, AnnaSingson, Jamie M.Skadden, CarlySkelton, Tina H.Smith, CharlieStech, MaryThomas, RyanTomaszewski, Matthew A.Tyburski, Erika A.Vanwingerden, ScottVlach, EvetteWatkins, Ronald S.Watson, KarriemWhite, Karen C.Killeen, Timothy L.Jones, Robert J.Cangellaris, Andreas C.Martinis, Susan A.Vaid, AwaisBrooke, Christopher B.Walsh, Joseph T.Elbanna, AhmedSullivan, William C.Smith, Rebecca L.Goldenfeld, NigelFan, Timothy M.Hergenrother, Paul J.Burke, Martin D.
Source
Nature Communications. 13(1)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2041-1723
Abstract
In Fall 2020, universities saw extensive transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among their populations, threatening health of the university and surrounding communities, and viability of in-person instruction. Here we report a case study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where a multimodal “SHIELD: Target, Test, and Tell” program, with other non-pharmaceutical interventions, was employed to keep classrooms and laboratories open. The program included epidemiological modeling and surveillance, fast/frequent testing using a novel low-cost and scalable saliva-based RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 that bypasses RNA extraction, called covidSHIELD, and digital tools for communication and compliance. In Fall 2020, we performed >1,000,000 covidSHIELD tests, positivity rates remained low, we had zero COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths amongst our university community, and mortality in the surrounding Champaign County was reduced more than 4-fold relative to expected. This case study shows that fast/frequent testing and other interventions mitigated transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at a large public university.
Safely opening university campuses has been a major challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, the authors describe a program of public health measures employed at a university in the United States which, combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions, allowed the university to stay open in fall 2020 with limited evidence of transmission.