An Approach to Screening for COVID-19 at Vancouver Airport
Condition: Asymptomatic Condition; Healthy
MeSH terms: Asymptomatic Diseases
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The primary objective of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility and effectiveness
      of a COVID-19 screening program for passengers departing from YVR. This research study is
      conducted by The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Providence Health Care, sponsored
      by WestJet and Vancouver Airport Authority. The experimental study investigates point-of-care
      rapid test device for detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The study is
      investigating a method of rapid-testing for COVID-19 and will help inform the safest and most
      efficient way of testing departing passengers prior to security screening at Vancouver
      International Airport (YVR). This study is also evaluating a new passenger management system.
    

Detailed description: 
      Summary of the Research Proposal

      Purpose:

      The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a
      COVID-19 screening program at YVR for WestJet and KLM passengers.

      Hypothesis:

      SARS-CoV-2 infection can be effectively screened using point-of-care rapid antigen assays.

      Justification:

      Passengers are required to wear masks and physically distance while traveling by air.
      However, the majority of general public is still worried about the potential risk of
      contracting COVID-19 on airplanes, especially during long flights. We need to develop methods
      and strategies to quickly screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection, prior to boarding flights.

      Objectives:

        1. To develop and deploy a management algorithm for COVID-19 screening at YVR that will
           involve the use of point-of-care rapid test device.

        2. To evaluate the acceptability of such screening algorithm and determine the costs of
           deploying the program.

      Research Design:

      Study Population: Working in collaboration with WestJet and KLM we will invite all passengers
      meeting Inclusion/Exclusion on outbound flights from YVR Airport to participate in this
      study.

      Phase 1: We will work with YVR and WestJet to enroll 200 subjects into the study. For this
      initial phase we are looking to determine the rate of positivity in the cohort. This initial
      phase is needed to evaluate the feasibility of this pilot program and to refine the initial
      management algorithm. Health Canada-approved Panbio Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test Device by Abbott
      Rapid Diagnostics (approved for Lab-based test and Point of care test on 2020-10-05) will be
      uses in Phase 1.

      Phase 2: Strategies for achieving higher-throughput will be determined after completion of
      Phase 1. In phase 2, we will continue to work with YVR and WestJet, with the addition of KLM,
      to enroll 700 subjects into the study. Phase 2 will further assess the efficiency of our
      COVID-19 screening and passenger management algorithm.

      The study is purposefully designed to be as minimally invasive to the passengers' travel plan
      as possible. The Study Plans for Phase 1 and Phase 2 are detailed below.

      Statistical Analysis:

      • When we aggregate the data for analysis, we will use basic statistics to determine mean,
      variance, standard deviation, and positivity rate...etc.
    

Intervention name(s): Rapid Antigen Test
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): Antigen Technology Lab-based test and Point of care test
Other intervention name(s): Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Panbio Covid-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (Nasopharyngeal)
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Screening