Expansion of asymptomatic testing in schools may not curb spread of COVID-19

BY PAUL JUNOR

The announcement on Monday, February 1^st, 2021 by Education Minister, Stephen Leece that there will be an increase in asymptomatic COVID-19 testing was met with scepticism.

The asymptomatic testing will be expanded beyond the hotspots of York, Peel, Toronto and Ottawa to include the rest of Ontario. There are many doubts about the practicability of this testing as it includes private companies.

Minister Leece promised that there would be asymptomatic testing as early as August before releasing the province back-to-school plan. Now he announced that, “In advance of return to class, the government will also be implementing province wide targeted asymptomatic testing, more comprehensive screening protocols, and mandatory maskings for students in Grades 1-3 and outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. These new safeguards have been informed by medical leaders and the best available evidence in Canada.”

The Ontario government released a news release titled, “Ontario Expands Testing to keep schools and child care settings safe” on February 1^st, 2021, which revealed that, “Targeted asymptomatic testing is a central part of the government’s comprehensive plan to keep schools and children safe.” There were over 9,000 students, staff and household in over 60 schools in the hotspots that were tested during the first phase conducted during the fall of 2020. It revealed the following data:

• 58 % of the confirmed cases were attributed to members of the same household (132 cases)
• 37% were attributed to students (83 cases) and 5% were attributed to staff (12 cases)
• 54 % of participating schools had no cases even though many schools were selected due to an outbreak or increase in cases in the school or community
• Approximately 1.8% of participating students tested positive, and less than 1 % of participating staff tested positive

As schools are set to return to in-person learning originally on February 10^th, 2021 and now February 16^th, 2021 there are specific conditions that are required.

The news release states, “Testing will be initiated at the direction of local public health units and will continue to be offered at no cost to families and staff. Testing will be voluntary, and consent will be required from parents or guardians for students under eighteen years. Testing approaches will be determined at a local level using either lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen tests. The use of less invasive testing approaches (e.g saliva and lower nasal swabs) will be encouraged wherever possible.”

It is anticipated that there would be 50,000 asymptomatic testing conducted during this phase. There is hope that these tests will be able to provide extra safety by ensuring the following:

• Identifying cases that might otherwise have gone undetected
• Reducing transmission of COVID-I9 from community into schools and within schools
• Reducing barriers and making it easier to get a test in your community

The provincial government hopes that the increase in asymptomatic testing will complement the testing that is already going on in the province for symptomatic students, and those who work in the educational sectors. For those who are symptomatic, there is an expectation that rapid testing will be readily available at assessment centres and other areas of testing locations.