Same-day pre-event screening for SARS-CoV-2 using antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) may enable the resumption of large-scale indoor events which were halted or had their attendance capacity reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study from Spain presented at ECCMID 2021.
“Our study provides preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of same-day point-of-care screening with Ag-RDT, combined with [N95] face mask-wearing and active air ventilation, to create safe indoor environments with no need for physical distancing measures,” the authors said. “Our findings pave the way to reactivate cultural activities halted during COVID-19, which could have important sociocultural and economic implications.”
Adults aged 18–59 years (n=1,047) who tested negative on an Ag-RDT test from a nasopharyngeal swab done from 12 hours before a 5-hour indoor concert in Barcelona, Spain, on December 12, 2020, were randomized to either attend the concert (attendee) or return to normal life (control group). Included in the analysis were 465 attendees and 495 controls (mean age 33.6 years, 82 percent male). Attendees were inside the concert venue for a median 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The pre-event swabs were assessed using real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and transcription-mediated amplification test (TMA). The Ag-RDT result was reported to the participants after 15 minutes through an app installed on their smartphones and the TMA results reported 24–48 hours post-event. Forehead temperature was assessed at the screening site and event entrance and participants received an N95 mask, use of which was mandatory during the event. The event location had a 900-person capacity and no physical distancing measures were enforced. Singing and dancing were allowed. A 20-person capacity outdoor smoking area was available with distancing and crowding measures enforced. Beverages were served in a different room (1,600-person capacity) with participants requested to remove masks only when drinking.
