Drive-through testing for SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic health and social care workers and household members: an observational cohort study. Issue 12 (27th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parcell, Benjamin J; Brechin, Kathryn; Allstaff, Sarah; Park, Meg; Third, Wendy; Bean, Susan; Hind, Chris; Farmer, Rajiv; Chandler, Daniel; Chalmers, James D
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 75:Issue 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1109
• Page End: 1111
• Publication Date: 2020-08-27
• Subjects: clinical epidemiology -- infection control -- viral infection; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : The requirement for health and social care workers to self-isolate when they or their household contacts develop symptoms consistent with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can lead to critical staff shortages in the context of a pandemic. In this report, we describe the implementation of a drive-through testing service in a single National Health Service region in Scotland. From 17 March 2020 to 11 April 2020, 1890 SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription PCR assay (RT-PCR) tests were performed. 22% of tests were positive. Allowing the remaining 78% of staff to return to work within 24 hours was estimated to save over 8000 working days during the peak pandemic period.