Implementation of Practical Surface SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance in School Settings

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Virology

Background:

• Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RNA offers a promising method for detecting virus shedding in indoor environments.
• Schools are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission due to high occupancy and prolonged indoor exposure.
• Pediatric clinical testing for SARS-CoV-2 presents challenges related to cost and parental consent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of two sampling media (VTM and SDS) and two workflows (Thermo and PerkinElmer) for SARS-CoV-2 surface sampling.
• To evaluate the suitability of different surface sampling pipelines for environmental monitoring in public schools.
• To determine if existing laboratory infrastructure can be leveraged for SARS-CoV-2 surface surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of Viral Transport Medium (VTM) and Saliva DNA (SDS) sampling media.
• Evaluation of Thermo Fisher Scientific and PerkinElmer workflows for RNA extraction and detection.
• Benchmarking SARS-CoV-2 detection sensitivity and specificity using surface swabs from classrooms.

Main Results:

• The SDS/Thermo pipeline demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.
• The VTM/PerkinElmer pipeline, while less sensitive (27% false-negative rate vs. 9%), remains sufficient for surveillance in stable indoor cohorts.
• Existing infrastructure, like that used by public health laboratories, can be adapted for effective SARS-CoV-2 surface surveillance.

Conclusions:

• The SDS/Thermo workflow is recommended for enhanced SARS-CoV-2 surface surveillance due to its high sensitivity.
• The VTM/PerkinElmer workflow provides a viable alternative, enabling the use of existing public health laboratory infrastructure.
• Surface sampling programs can be implemented in diverse indoor settings, including schools, prisons, and group homes, to monitor SARS-CoV-2 exposure.