Browsing by Author "Uthappa, Diya M"

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    Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 identification methods through surveillance of companion animals in SARS-CoV-2-positive homes in North Carolina, March to December 2020
    (PeerJ) Gin, Taylor E; Petzold, Elizabeth A; Uthappa, Diya M; Neighbors, Coralei E; Borough, Anna R; Gin, Craig; Lashnits, Erin; Sempowski, Gregory D; Denny, Thomas; Bienzle, Dorothee; Weese, J Scott; Callahan, Benjamin J; Woods, Christopher W
    We collected oral and/or rectal swabs and serum from dogs and cats living in homes with SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive persons for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serology testing. Pre-COVID-19 serum samples from dogs and cats were used as negative controls, and samples were tested in duplicate at different timepoints. Raw ELISA results scrutinized relative to known negative samples suggested that cut-offs for IgG seropositivity may require adjustment relative to previously proposed values, while proposed cut-offs for IgM require more extensive validation. A small number of pet dogs (2/43, 4.7%) and one cat (1/21, 4.8%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and 28.6 and 37.5% of cats and dogs were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, respectively.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Test-to-Stay in Kindergarten Through 12th Grade Schools After Household Exposure to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.
    (The Journal of school health, 2023-05) Scott, Zeni; Uthappa, Diya M; Mann, Tara K; Kim, Hwasoon; Brookhart, MA; Edwards, Laura; Rak, Zsolt; Benjamin, Daniel K; Zimmerman, Kanecia O; ABC Science Collaborative

    Background

    Test-to-stay (TTS) is a strategy to limit school exclusion following an exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We evaluated the use of TTS within universally masked kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) school settings following household SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

    Methods

    Three hundred twenty-two participants were enrolled. Serial rapid antigen testing was performed up to 15 days post-exposure. Analysis-eligible participants completed the 15-day testing protocol, tested positive any time during the testing window, or received a negative test on or after day 9. Primary outcomes included within-school tertiary attack rate (TAR) (test positivity among close contacts of positive TTS participants), and school days saved among TTS participants.

    Results

    Seventy-three of 265 analysis-eligible participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (secondary attack rate of 28% [95% CI: 16-63%]). Among 77 within-school close contacts, 2 were positive (TAR = 3% [95% CI: 1-5%]). Participant absences were limited to 338 days, resulting in 82% of 1849 school days saved.

    Implications for school health policy, practice, and equity

    TTS facilitates continued in-person learning and can greatly reduce the number of missed school days.

    Conclusions

    Within universally masked K-12 schools, TTS is a safe alternative to school exclusion following household SARS-CoV-2 exposure.