Imagine trying to keep high school sports seasons alive and classrooms open during a pandemic. Schools in Utah tried something straightforward: they tested students for COVID-19. From late 2020 into early 2021, they tested nearly 60,000 high schoolers. About 3 out of every 100 students tested positive, which helped identify cases and likely prevented some spread. The big picture result? An estimated 95% of athletic events were completed, and schools saved over 100,000 student-days of in-person learning that might have been lost to quarantine. This is a real-world look at what happened when schools made testing available. It's important to remember this was an observational study—it simply recorded what occurred. The report doesn't compare these schools to others that didn't test, so we can't say for certain that the testing programs were the sole reason these activities continued. It shows a promising association during a difficult time, but more evidence would be needed to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
High school COVID-19 testing programs in Utah associated with 3.2% positivity and preserved activitiesCan COVID testing keep high school sports and classes running?
AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work
Key Takeaway
Interpret high school COVID-19 testing program data cautiously due to observational design and lack of comparator.
This observational study evaluated two COVID-19 testing programs implemented in Utah high schools from November 30, 2020, to March 20, 2021. The study population included 59,552 high school students who were tested. No specific comparator or control group was reported for the analysis.
The main results showed that among the students tested, 1,886 had a positive result, representing a positivity rate of 3.2%. The programs were associated with the completion of approximately 95% of scheduled high school athletic events. An estimated 109,752 in-person instruction student-days were saved during the study period. No effect sizes, p-values, or confidence intervals were reported for these outcomes.
Safety and tolerability data, including adverse events and discontinuations, were not reported. Key limitations include the observational design, the absence of a reported comparator group, and the lack of primary outcome specification. The study did not report funding sources or conflicts of interest. The findings suggest a potential association between testing programs and maintaining school operations, but the observational nature precludes establishing causality.
What this means for you:
School COVID testing was linked to more in-person learning and completed sports seasons. More on COVID
E3 ubiquitin ligases modulate SARS-CoV-2 replication and immune evasion through targeted protein degradation mechanisms
SARS-CoV-2 uses host enzymes to hide from the immune system
This mini-review explores the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors synthesize how these enzymes …
New research shows how the virus hijacks specific proteins in our cells to replicate and dodge our body's natural defenses.
Patients with post-COVID syndrome face significant thromboembolic risk requiring proactive monitoring and tailored anticoagulant treatments
Anticoagulant Drugs May Help Manage Thromboembolic Risks After COVID-19
This meta-analysis examines the prevalence of thromboembolic events in individuals with post-COVID syndrome. The analysis identifies a signi…
People with post-COVID syndrome may face a higher risk of blood clots, highlighting the need for proactive monitoring and tailored treatment…
Casirivimab plus imdevimab reduced risk of hospitalization or death in patients with and without asthma
Trial shows antibody treatment helps COVID-19 patients with asthma
This randomized controlled trial evaluated casirivimab plus imdevimab (CAS + IMD) in outpatients with acute COVID-19. The study found that C…
A new trial shows a dual antibody treatment reduces hospitalization and death risk for COVID-19 patients, including those with asthma or ato…
Erratum issued for COVID-19 hospitalization data among health care personnel
What happened to health care workers hospitalized with COVID-19? A correction notice.
An erratum notice was published regarding data on COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among health care personnel from the COVID-NET survei…
A correction notice clarifies that a previous report on health care workers hospitalized with COVID-19 did not contain new data or findings.
View Original Abstract ↓
Utah implemented two high school COVID-19 testing programs to sustain in-person instruction and extracurricular activities. During November 30, 2020-March 20, 2021, among 59,552 students who received testing, 1,886 (3.2%) had a positive result. These programs facilitated the completion of approximately 95% of high school athletic events and saved an estimated 109,752 in-person instruction student-days.
Intrawound tobramycin plus vancomycin did not reduce deep infection risk compared with vancomycin alone in high-risk tibial fractures
Adding Antibiotics to Bone Surgery Didn't Lower Infection Risk
Related in Infectious Disease
FDA Approves Linezolid Injection for Gram-Positive Infections Including Pneumonia and Skin Infections
FDA approves new antibiotic injection for serious bacterial infections
The FDA approved linezolid injection for nosocomial pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, complicated skin infections, and vancomycin-res…
The FDA approved linezolid injection for treating serious infections like pneumonia and skin infections caused by certain bacteria, includin…
Intrawound vancomycin powder reduces postoperative infection risk (OR 0.59) in high-risk fracture fixation cases
Vancomycin Powder May Reduce Infections After High Risk Fractures
This meta-analysis of 3185 patients found that intrawound vancomycin powder significantly reduced postoperative infection rates (OR 0.59; 95…
A review of data suggests that using vancomycin powder in wounds may lower infection rates for patients with serious bone fractures.
Risk-adapted HLA delisting and imlifidase enable deceased-donor kidney transplantation for highly sensitized candidates
New guide helps transplant kidneys for hardest-to-match patients
This expert consensus provides a practical guideline for managing highly sensitized adult patients on the waitlist for deceased-donor kidney…
A new expert guide shows how to safely transplant kidneys into highly sensitized patients who have few options left.
Regenerative endodontic procedures may lead to unusual root morphology in immature teeth
Regenerative procedures can lead to unusual tooth root growth
This case report with literature review describes 2 immature teeth with pulp necrosis secondary to dens evaginatus treated with regenerative…
A new look at dental treatments shows that while some procedures save teeth, they can sometimes cause unexpected changes in how roots grow.
From Other Specialties
Meningeal Immune System Offers New Target for Glioblastoma Immunotherapy
New approach targets the immune system to treat brain tumors
This systematic review explores how targeting the meningeal immune system, including dural lymphatics and rBAMs, could overcome current barr…
A new strategy focuses on the area where brain tumors meet the body's defenses to improve how immunotherapy works for glioblastoma.
A 6 dimension and 42 item system provides early risk assessment for high-risk diabetic feet
Experts Develop New Risk Assessment System for Diabetic Feet
This expert consultation and guideline describes the development of an early risk assessment system for high-risk diabetic feet. The consens…
A new assessment system identifies risk factors like nerve damage and circulation to help manage and prevent complications in patients with …
Rapid advancements in imaging and blood-based biomarkers are transforming the diagnosis and management of ADRD
New guidelines help doctors tell delirium from dementia
This clinical guideline provides a narrative review on the evolving diagnostic and treatment landscape for Alzheimer's disease and related d…
Delirium is acute and fluctuating; dementia is chronic. New guidelines help doctors tell them apart.
ACTH and vigabatrin achieved full seizure control in a patient with Ververi-Brady syndrome
ACTH and Vigabatrin Show Promise for Rare Epilepsy Syndrome
This case report describes a 5-month-old male infant with Ververi-Brady syndrome and infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. The patient achiev…
A new gene variant linked to Ververi-Brady syndrome showed positive results when treated with a combination of ACTH and vigabatrin.