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Massey D, Saydah S, Adamson B, Lincoln A, Aukerman DF, Berke EM, Sikka R, Krumholz HM. Prevalence of covid-19 and long covid in collegiate student athletes from spring 2020 to fall 2021: a retrospective survey. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:876. [PMID: 38093182 PMCID: PMC10717379 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08801-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptomatic COVID-19 and Long COVID, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) or post-COVID conditions, have been widely reported in young, healthy people, but their prevalence has not yet been determined in student athletes. We sought to estimate the prevalence of reported COVID-19, symptomatic COVID-19, and Long COVID in college athletes in the United States attending 18 schools from spring 2020 to fall 2021. METHODS We developed an online survey to measure the prevalence of student athletes who tested positive for COVID-19, developed Long COVID, and did not return to their sport during the relevant time period. We surveyed a convenience sample of 18 collegiate school administrators, representing about 7,000 student athletes. Of those schools surveyed, 16 responded regarding the spring 2020 semester, and 18 responded regarding the full academic year of fall 2020 to spring 2021 (both semesters). RESULTS According to the survey responses, there were 9.8% of student athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in spring 2020 and 25.4% who tested positive in the academic year of fall 2020 to spring 2021. About 4% of student athletes who tested positive from spring 2020 to spring 2021 developed Long COVID, defined as new, recurring, or ongoing physical or mental health consequences occurring 4 or more weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that Long COVID occurs among young, healthy athletes and is a real consequence of COVID-19. Understanding the prevalence of Long COVID in this population requires longer follow-up and further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Massey
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale New Haven Hospital, 195 Church Street, Fifth Floor, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Sharon Saydah
- Coronaviruses and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Epidemiology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Blythe Adamson
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Infectious Economics, LLC, New York, NY, USA
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy and Economics Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Lincoln
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Special Olympics, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Douglas F Aukerman
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Samaritan Athletic Medicine at Oregon State University, Samaritan Health Services, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Ethan M Berke
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- UnitedHealth Group, Minnetonka, MN, USA
| | - Robby Sikka
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Harlan M Krumholz
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale New Haven Hospital, 195 Church Street, Fifth Floor, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Lee RC, Sood N, Deva S, Macedo M, Soto DW, Unger JB. Evaluation of a COVID-19 rapid antigen testing program among student athletes in a public high school district. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2023; 98:102280. [PMID: 36996640 PMCID: PMC10032046 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to evaluate a COVID-19 rapid antigen testing program among high school athletes through testing data and qualitative analysis from key stakeholders. METHODS Testing data was obtained by the partnering school district. Testing staff, coaches, and parents participated in a focus group using a semi-structured focus group guide. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach to produce the themes of the study. RESULTS Rapid antigen tests quickly identified a COVID-19-positive student athlete, which allowed for quick isolation and zero transmission to teammates. Focus groups with parents, testing staff, and coaches indicated the testing program improved perceived safety and demonstrated the ability for school staff to implement a widespread COVID-19 screening program with minimal training. CONCLUSIONS As schools continue to respond to various waves of COVID-19 infections, targeted testing for high-risk activities in school settings such as sports programs may help prevent school outbreaks during times of high community transmission rates. This evaluation adds to a body of literature that will aid schools and policy makers in their decision on how to best keep student athletes and school communities safe for future waves of COVID-19 infection and other pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Lee
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Neeraj Sood
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, VPD 512F, 635 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sohini Deva
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Marisol Macedo
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Daniel W Soto
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Valtonen M, Waris M, Luoto R, Mjøsund K, Kaikkonen M, Heinonen OJ, Ruuskanen O. Non-SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Viruses in Athletes at Major Winter Sport Events, 2021 and 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:2096-2099. [PMID: 36148959 PMCID: PMC9514343 DOI: 10.3201/eid2810.220478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed prospective studies on respiratory viral infections among Team Finland participants during the 2021 Oberstdorf World Ski Championships and the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. We enrolled 73 athletes and 110 staff members. Compared with similar studies we conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, illnesses and virus detections dropped by 10-fold.
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Good MK, Czarnik M, Harmon KG, Aukerman D, O’Neal CS, Day C, Goerl K, Sifre K, Fink S, Riggs MA. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infections and Reinfections Among Fully Vaccinated and Unvaccinated University Athletes-15 States, January-November 2021. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:S236-S242. [PMID: 35771661 PMCID: PMC9278236 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data currently exist on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among fully vaccinated persons or reinfections in college-aged populations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnered with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions to analyze retrospective data and present characteristics of positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among student athletes 18 years of age and older. METHODS De-identified, individual-level data contributed by 21 universities on 1378 student athletes who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from January through November 2021 (pre-Omicron) were examined to determine percentages of infection among unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated individuals (breakthrough infections) as well as reinfections. Comparisons by demographic characteristics and regions were also made to further characterize these infections. RESULTS Among the 1378 student athletes positive for SARS-CoV-2, 1070 (77.6%) were infected when unvaccinated and 22.4% (n = 308) were infected after full vaccination. There was a significant difference between Black (14.7%, n = 40) and White (23.9%, n = 168) student athletes who experienced a SARS-CoV-2 infection after being fully vaccinated (P < .01). Proportions of infections among fully vaccinated individuals did not differ statistically by sex (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS This article adds to the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infections among fully vaccinated individuals in college-aged populations. The level of infections among fully vaccinated student athletes indicates the need for maintaining precautions to prevent infection. Further study of COVID-19 vaccination, infection, and reinfection among the well-resourced and diverse population of student athletes might contribute further understanding of factors that play a role in health equity among young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Catherine S O’Neal
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | | | - Kyle Goerl
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas
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