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Antigen Rapid Test Screening to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Transmission (COVID-19) at Mass Gathering Events.

Not Applicable
Withdrawn
Conditions
Covid19
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test
Registration Number
NCT04898127
Lead Sponsor
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Brief Summary

To investigate the impact of rapid antigen testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the investigators plan to conduct a large trial to assess the impact of using rapid tests to screen people before participating at a mass gathering event, i.e. a music concert. Among participants who wish to attend and fulfill the inclusion criteria, half will be offered access to rapid testing and concert (provided the test is negative), and the other half will not. Allocation will be by randomisation. A week after the concert both groups will be tested by means of a standard PCR-test.

Detailed Description

To investigate the impact of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing on the incidence of COVID-19, the investigators plan to conduct a large trial to assess the impact of using rapid tests to screen people before participating a mass gathering event, i.e. a music concert. The hypothesis is that screening by means of rapid testing eliminates any increase in risk of COVID-19 from attending a mass gathering event.

The investigators will recruit Individuals aged 18-45 years, who wish to attend a specific concert, have not received vaccination or had Covid-19 in the past six months, and are not in any risk group for severe disease. At recruitment, all participants (both concert and no-concert groups) will sign a consent form where they commit to using a contact tracing app, and to allowing the research group to use their data in the Norwegian Emergency Preparedness Register (BEREDT C19). They will also consent to having a COVID-19-test (PCR) conducted 6-8 days after the concert date.

After placing their payment, they will be randomised to be given access to a music concert (concert group), or not (no-concert group). Those who are randomised to the concert group will be tested for SARS-CoV-2 using a rapid antigen test, shortly before the concert. Those who test positive will be excluded from attending the concert and will immediately be offered a PCR-test.

All participants will be instructed to stay at home if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or are in quarantine. Participants who have symptoms or are quarantined at the time of the follow-up test will be offered a test through home visit by a mobile clinic.

Infection control measures will be applied to all concert participants in line with standards established by the sector, e.g. hand hygiene measures and a logistical system that seeks to minimise the risk of transmission during entry to the arena and exit after the concert

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
WITHDRAWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 18-45 years
  • Willingness to be randomised and to have a PCR-test taken a week after mass gathering event (both intervention and control groups)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Vaccinated for COVID-19
  • Having tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 the last 6 months
  • Risk factors for severe COVID-19

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Rapid test and concertSARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid testParticipants in this arm will be offered access to a concert, after a negative rapid test.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
SARS-CoV-2 infection6-8 days after mass gathering event

Positive PCR-test

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Hospital admissions1 to 3 weeks after mass gathering event

Registered in administrative database

Clinical COVID-19 disease1 to 14 days after mass gathering event

Registered diagnosis in administrative databases

False positive rapid testWithin 24 hours.

Rapid tests that yield a positive result which is not confirmed by PCR test

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