COVID-19 Cycle Threshold/Cycle Number Testing at a Community Living Center

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Nursing home residents, including veterans in community living centers (CLCs), face elevated COVID-19 risk.
• Cycle threshold/cycle number (CT/CN) values from RT-PCR tests may indicate viral load and infectiousness.
• Limited data exists on serial COVID-19 testing and CT/CN value correlations during nursing home outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation of serial COVID-19 testing with CT/CN values in a CLC during an outbreak.
• To assess the utility of CT/CN values in understanding viral load and infectiousness in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of serial RT-PCR testing data for COVID-19.
• Study conducted during an outbreak at a CLC from March to November 2020.
• Testing performed on Abbot m2000 or Cepheid platforms.

Main Results:

• Out of 80 patients tested, 25 (31%) were positive for COVID-19.
• Observed CT/CN values aligned with the expected course of infection.
• Serial testing provided insights into viral dynamics throughout the outbreak.

Conclusions:

• Serial COVID-19 testing with CT/CN values offers valuable clinical and epidemiological information.
• CT/CN values can help determine the likely stage of infection.
• This data can support public health strategies and patient management in long-term care facilities.