Saliva detection of SARS-CoV-2 for mitigating company outbreaks: a surveillance experience, Milan, Italy, March 2021

Epidemiol Infect. 2021 Jul 30:149:e171. doi: 10.1017/S0950268821001473.

Abstract

Monitoring the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) community-wide transmission with a suitable and effective sampling method would be of great support for public health response to the spreading due to asymptomatic subjects in the community.Here, we describe how using saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection has allowed for a weekly surveillance of a small business company and the early detection of coronavirus disease 2019 cases.As on 23rd March, two cases were detected and investigated, and control measures were rapidly applied.

Keywords: COVID-19; Control measures; SARS-CoV-2; saliva sample; surveillance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing
  • Contact Tracing
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Saliva / virology*