DETECT Schools Study: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Module 1 SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic spot testing: Randomly selected students and staff (n=150) will undergo testing for SARS-CoV-2 at a selection of 40 representative schools across the state. Duration of swab testing is 3 rounds over two school terms in 2020, and will occur monthly for three consecutive months. Total duration of observation varies with each participant due to randomised selection for swabbing. For swab collection, an oropharyngeal (throat), followed by a deep nasal swab will be taken (using the same single flocked swab). This swabbing process will cause only minimal discomfort, and is not the same as a nasopharyngeal swab (inserted further into the nasal cavity to reach the throat/pharynx). Module 2 Enhanced COVID-19 index case response: Enhanced follow-up of any SARS-CoV-2 positive index case identified within a school during Module 1. If participants are identified as a close contact after Module 1 has completed, up until December 2020, enhanced follow-up will also be initiated. In consultation with the Public Health department, we propose further targeted testing of students and staff based on existing methodologies. Close contacts of the index case undergo two SARS-CoV-2 tests across two weeks, irrespective of symptoms, as well as keeping a daily symptom diary for 14 days. Only those who are identified as a close contact and enrolled in Module 2 will be invited to consent and participate in serology testing at days 28 – 42. Module 3 Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19: Survey-based wellbeing assessments of student, staff and parent experiences of COVID-19 (including in response to the testing activities in Module 1). This project will conduct a quantitative quasi-experimental cross-sectional baseline and five-month follow-up survey measuring the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 among school-aged children, their parents, and school staff in Western Australia in schools differentiated by the presence or absence of COVID-19 screening procedures. A total of 79 schools across metropolitan and regional settings have been purposely selected for invitation to participate by the WA Department of Education with 40 randomly designated by the Department as COVID-19 screening schools and 39 randomly designated as Control schools. In all 79 schools, students aged 9-18 (Years 4-12), school staff and parents of children aged 3-18 (Years K-12) in intervention and control schools will be invited to complete a survey. Separate surveys will be developed for students in Years 4–6 and Years 7–12 to reflect different developmental capabilities and educational settings. A 15-minute parent/caregiver survey will be administered to understand the impact of COVID-19 social interventions on their children and their families, especially interventions related to online schooling from home and social isolation on the family. The project measures will provide an understanding of: 1. How the COVID-19 social interventions differentially impact children’s, adolescents’ and their parents’ and teachers’ physical, social, and emotional wellbeing (e.g.: sleep, anxiety, loneliness, and physical activity) across sub-populations (e.g.: age, school system) and geography. 2. How the COVID-19 social interventions are differentially impacting children/adolescents’ learning and schools’ operations across sub-populations (e.g.: year group, school system) and geography. 3. How students, school staff and parents feel about the COVID-19 testing (e.g.: acceptability, reaction). Participation can be across all three modules, depending on whether the participant is in a control school or a testing school, and is not limited to one module only. All three modules require independent consent.