Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission at a Large Public University
Authors: Ranoa Diana Rose E. , Holland Robin L. , Alnaji Fadi G. , Green Kelsie J. , Wang Leyi , Fredrickson Richard L. , Wang Tong , Wong George N. , Uelmen Johnny , Maslov Sergei , Elbanna Ahmed , Weiner Zachary J. , Tkachenko Alexei V. , Zhang Hantao , Liu Zhiru , Patel Sanjay J. , Paul John M. , Vance Nickolas P. , Gulick Joseph G. , Satheesan Sandeep Puthanveetil , Galvan Isaac J. , Miller Andrew , Grohens Joseph , Nelson Todd J. , Stevens Mary P. , Hennessy P. Mark , Parker Robert C. , Santos Edward , Brackett Charles , Steinman Julie D. , Fenner Melvin R. , Dohrer Kirstin , Wagenecht Kraig , DeLorenzo Michael , Wilhelm-Barr Laura , Brauer Brian R. , Best-Popescu Catherine , Durack Gary , Wetter Nathan , Kranz David M. , Breitbarth Jessica , Simpson Charlie , Pryde Julie A. , Kaler Robin N. , Harris Chris , Vance Allison C. , Silotto Jodi L. , Johnson Mark , Valera Enrique , Anton Patricia K. , Mwilambwe Lowa , Bryan Stephen P. , Stone Deborah S. , Young Danita B. , Ward Wanda E. , Lantz John , Vozenilek John A. , Bashir Rashid , Moore Jeffrey S. , Garg Mayank , Cooper Julian C. , Snyder Gillian , Lore Michelle H. , Yocum Dustin L. , Cohen Neal J. , Novakofski Jan E. , Loots Melanie J. , Ballard Randy L. , Band Mark , Banks Kayla M. , Barnes Joseph D. , Bentea Iuliana , Black Jessica , Busch Jeremy , Christensen Hannah , Conte Abigail , Conte Madison , Curry Michael , Eardley Jennifer , Edwards April , Eggett Therese , Fleurimont Judes , Foster Delaney , Fouke Bruce W. , Gallagher Nicholas , Gastala Nicole , Genung Scott A. , Glueck Declan , Gray Brittani , Greta Andrew , Healy Robert M. , Hetrick Ashley , Holterman Arianna A , Ismail Nahed , Jasenof Ian , Kelly Patrick , Kielbasa Aaron , Kiesel Teresa , Kindle Lorenzo M. , Lipking Rhonda L. , Manabe Yukari C. , Mayes Jade , McGuffin Reubin , McHenry Kenton G. , Mirza Agha , Moseley Jada , Mostafa Heba H. , Mumford Melody , Munoz Kathleen , Murray Arika D. , Nolan Moira , Parikh Nil A. , Pekosz Andrew , Pflugmacher Janna , Phillips Janise M. , Pitts Collin , Potter Mark C. , Quisenberry James , Rear Janelle , Robinson Matthew L. , Rosillo Edith , Rye Leslie N. , Sherwood MaryEllen , Simon Anna , Singson Jamie M. , Skadden Carly , Skelton Tina H. , Smith Charlie , Stech Mary , Thomas Ryan , Tomaszewski Matthew A. , Tyburski Erika A. , Vanwingerden Scott , Vlach Evette , Watkins Ronald S. , Watson Karriem , White Karen C. , Killeen Timothy L. , Jones Robert J. , Cangellaris Andreas C. , Martinis Susan A. , Vaid Awais , Brooke Christopher B. , Walsh Joseph T. , Sullivan William C. , Smith Rebecca L. , Goldenfeld Nigel D. , Fan Timothy M. , Hergenrother Paul J. , Burke Martin D. 
Published: August 2021

In the Fall of 2020, many universities saw extensive transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among their populations, threatening the health of students, faculty and staff, the viability of in-person instruction, and the health of surrounding communities.1, 2 Here we report that a multimodal “SHIELD: Target, Test, and Tell” program mitigated the spread of SARS-CoV-2 at a large public university, prevented community transmission, and allowed continuation of in-person classes amidst the pandemic. The program combines epidemiological modelling and surveillance (Target); fast and frequent testing using a novel and FDA Emergency Use Authorized low-cost and scalable saliva-based RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 that bypasses RNA extraction, called covidSHIELD (Test); and digital tools that communicate test results, notify of potential exposures, and promote compliance with public health mandates (Tell). These elements were combined with masks, social distancing, and robust education efforts. In Fall 2020, we performed more than 1,000,000 covidSHIELD tests while keeping classrooms, laboratories, and many other university activities open. Generally, our case positivity rates remained less than 0.5%, we prevented transmission from our students to our faculty and staff, and data indicate that we had no spread in our classrooms or research laboratories. During this fall semester, we had zero COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths amongst our university community. We also prevented transmission from our university community to the surrounding Champaign County community. Our experience demonstrates that multimodal transmission mitigation programs can enable university communities to achieve such outcomes until widespread vaccination against COVID-19 is achieved, and provides a roadmap for how future pandemics can be addressed.