UniCoV- UCC- Surveillance and detection of SARS-CoV-2 on the UCC campus during the 2021-2022 Teaching year Apps, antigens, saliva, wastewater and participation

Background
University teaching, research and campus life was significantly affected worldwide during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The need for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 symptomology and virus presence is key in providing a safe university environment . An Irish University project for SARS-CoV-2 detection, UniCoV, was set up of composing of four universities, UoG, TCD, UCD and UCC, during the 2021-2022 University year. Here we describe the experience of one university partner, UCC.

Methods
The UniCoV study was designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection using a bespoke Power Apps symptom checker in conjunction with a pack containing nasal Antigen Tests and barcoded Saliva tubes. Twice weekly antigen tests were self-performed and symptoms and results logged via the UniCoV App with barcode scanned Saliva tubes screened by RT. Saliva esults, negative or positive, were pushed back to the user App. Any positive participants were contacted and provided with clinical guidance. The campus community was also indirectly screened via Wastewater sampling to detect SARS-CoV-2. Campus community participation was encouraged via varying media channels along with engagement with Students Unions and University management.

Results
A total of 2,311 participants were enrolled over the university year, Several spikes in infection were detected correlating with national trends. A total of 570 positive cases were detected with Omicron becoming dominant in early 2022. The majority of cases were positive for 10 days with RT-PCR detecting SARS-CoV-2 earlier in 29% of cases (164). Antigen tests images were also digitally graded demonstrating a differential ability to detect viral particles comparable to RT-PCR crossing points. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels were detectable throughout the year demonstrating an early predictive value correlating with on campus spikes in SARS-CoV-2 incidence.

Conclusions

The UniCoV study facilitated a safe campus life but also demonstrates a framework for providing a rapid system for screening Campuses for infectious disease prevalence and an early warning system to prevent potential future outbreaks.