University of Wisconsin–Madison ⋅ Medical College of Wisconsin
WMJ

Utility and Acceptability of Rapid Antigen Testing for Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in K-12 School Health Offices During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Maureen D. Goss, MPH;* Cecilia He, MPH;* Alea Sabry, BS;* Carly Hamer, BS;* Emma L. Svenson, DVM/MPH;* Emily Temte, BA; Shari Barlow, BA; Jonathan L. Temte, MD, PhD

WMJ. 2024;123(6):597-600.

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ABSTRACT

Background: Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) schools are potential hotspots for infectious disease transmission. We used test results and feedback from school health staff and parents to assess in-school rapid testing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Rapid testing was conducted in seven K-12 schools during 2021 to 2024. Sofia2-FIA (fluorescent immunoassay) analyzers, test kits, training, and troubleshooting services were provided. School health staff feedback surveys were distributed each year. Parent feedback was collected during the 2023-2024 school year.

Results: Across 3 years, 1710 rapid tests were performed. SARS-CoV-2 (n = 126) and influenza A/B (n = 105) were detected. School health staff found rapid testing “easy” to “very easy” (97%) and supported continuation (90.9%). Parents reported feeling “very relieved” (42.1%) following testing.

Discussion: Rapid testing was highly utilized during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and was well-received by school health staff and parents.

Author Affiliations: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH), Madison, Wisconsin (Goss, He, Sabry, Hamer, E Temte, Barlow, J Temte); Department of Population Health Sciences, UW SMPH, Madison, Wisconsin (Svenson). *Denotes co-first authors.
Corresponding Author: Maureen D. Goss, MPH, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 610 N Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53705; phone 608.301.7730; email maureen.landsverk@fammed.wisc.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0002-7062-1916
Funding/Support: Quidel Corporation supplied Sofia2 rapid testing analyzers and dual Influenza/SARS-CoV-2 test kits for all school locations. No funding was secured for this study.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.
Acknowledgements: The authors thank the Oregon School District in Oregon, Wisconsin, for ongoing support and cooperation with studies and assessments, and specifically Superintendent Leslie Bergstrom, EdD, and the wonderful school nurses and health office personnel.
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