The purpose of this study is to understand how to prevent COVID-19 spread in a school like the Mary Cariola Center (MCC) in Rochester, NY by answering questions like these: how do activities in the school alter chances of infection? Are there people infected with the COVID-19 virus who have no symptoms? How is spread of COVID-19 affected by vaccination rates? Is there any hesitancy to get the vaccine and what are the reasons? This information will be used to help keep the school open and the students and staff safe. Eligible participants are those that work at the Mary Cariola Center (MCC) and interact with the students at MCC who have a high risk of infection from COVID-19. The study lasts for up to 16 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
392
Participating individuals (students and employees) will be tested for COVID-19 (RT-PCR) using a specimen collected using a mid-turbinate swab. This asymptomatic testing regime starts on or after (if scheduling testing requires this to begin on a different day) enrollment and is repeated every 5-14 days for up to 16 months . Anyone testing positive is followed up as described below for symptomatic individuals. Those presenting with symptoms will be also tested for COVID-19 (RT-PCR). Those with negative test results will return to the asymptomatic testing protocol. Students who test positive are retested then 3 days until two negative tests. Employees who test positive also be tested every 3 days until two negative tests.
Utilizing information from focus groups, the investigators will develop and deploy an educational campaign aimed at improving vaccine hesitancy and student health
Mary Cariola Center
Rochester, New York, United States
Number Infected With COVID-19
Number of students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 at least once using a nasal swab test.
Time frame: 16 months
Change in the Percentage of Participants Reporting Anxiety
Anxiety will be measured using the PROMIS-29 assessment. Participants were classified within normal range, mild, moderate or severe. They were counted as having anxiety if they were moderate or severe.
Time frame: baseline to 16 months
Change in the Percentage of Participants Classified as Depressed
Depression was measured using the PROMIS-29 assessment. Students or staff were classified within normal range, mild, moderate or severe. They were counted as having depression if they were moderate or severe.
Time frame: baseline to 16 months
Change in the Percentage of Participants Classified With Fatigue
Fatigue will be measured using the PROMIS-29 assessment. Participants were classified within normal range, mild, moderate or severe. They were counted as having fatigue if they were moderate or severe.
Time frame: baseline to 16 months
Change in Percentage of Participants With Deficits in Social Functioning
Social functioning will be measured using the PROMIS-29 assessment. Participants were classified within normal range, mild, moderate or severe. They were counted as having social functioning deficits if they were moderate or severe.
Time frame: baseline to 16 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.