INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS
The EuCARE Lolli study aims at evaluating a non-invasive screening procedure to keep the infection under control, the Lolli-Methode, as well as at studying the SARS-COV-2 infection in schools, comparing different containment measures (such as masks, distancing, bubbles, etc.) and at evaluating the psychological impact on students and teachers and the possible learning gaps related to containment measures and distant learning.
A SARS-CoV-2 screening strategy can contribute to a more pleasant working day because it indicates infections at an early stage and enables measures to be taken to interrupt chains of infection as early as possible.
The Lolli-Methode procedure was developed and validated by the Institute of Virology at the University of Cologne.
The school classes are divided into two groups: one group, called the experimental or Lolli group, will follow the Lolli-Methode; the other group, called the control group, will continue to follow the routine standard of care as defined by the running regulations.
The children in the Lolli group are tested twice a week. To do this, they have to suckle the swab like a lollipop. All the children of the class then put this swab into the class collection tube, which is transported to the laboratory where it is examined with a PCR test.
If the test result is negative, it means that SARS CoV-2 could not be detected in any student in the group.
If the test result is positive, it means that at least one person in the pool is infected. In this case, the laboratory soon informs the school which immediately contacts the parents of the involved students and the teachers The next morning, students and teachers of the positive pool undergo an individual lolli test. The individual results are provided on the same day.
The positive individuals and the class will then follow the running regulations in the region in the specific period.
WHAT DO THE SCHOOLS HAVE TO DO?
1) The school appoints a responsible person for the Study.
2) The responsible person obtains the parents’ consent to participate in the testing.
3) The responsible person oversees that the Study procedures are followed and that information and samples are properly collected.
4)The responsible person communicates with the testing laboratory and receives the test results.
WHAT DO EDUCATORS OR TEACHERS NEED TO DO?
1) The responsible teachers assigned to a class in the Lolli group collect the samples in a collection tube. The tubes are provided by EuCARE. It is important that all the participating students in the class put their swab into the same container. Sample collection will be done preferably in the first hour in the morning.
2) The teacher makes sure that the samples are labeled correctly. The name of the school and class is to be written on the samples so that they can be correctly assigned in the laboratory.
3) The teachers and the non teaching personnel are also invited to participate in the Study To do this, the teachers and the non teaching personnel assigned to a Lolli class also suck on a swab and put it into the collection tube of the class they are assigned to.
4) The teachers and the non teaching personnel are also invited to participate in the Study. To do this, the teachers and the non teaching personnel assigned to a Lolli class also suck on a swab and throw it into the collection tube of the class they are assigned to.
5) The teachers are also invited to participate in the psychological evaluation. To do this they fill in a psychological questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the study period.