tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
N Z Med J
. 2020 Jul 31;133(1519):89-94.
Age-related differences in SARS-CoV-2 testing in the Northern Region of New Zealand
Aakash V Chhibber[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sharmini Muttaiyah[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Gary McAuliffe[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Shivani Fox-Lewis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mary De Almeida[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Matthew Blakiston[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Veronica Playle[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Andrew Fox-Lewis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sally Roberts[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Aim: There is concern the low incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children reflects under-testing in this population. This study sought to describe the age-distribution of SARS-CoV-2 testing in the Northern Region of New Zealand.
Methods: A retrospective single-centre review of all SARS-CoV-2 tests performed at LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, between 12 February and 18 April 2020.
Results: A total of 22,333 tests were performed, with 313 (1.40%) positive results. The age-adjusted SARS-CoV-2 testing rate was three times higher in adults than in children. The overall proportion of positive tests was lower in children (0.86%) than adults (1.45%). However, within the paediatric population the proportion of tests positive differed significantly between those <10 years old (0.08%) and those 10-14 years old (2.6%).
Conclusion: The lower proportion of tests positive in children <10 years of age suggests they are appropriately tested relative to their rates of disease. A large high school-associated cluster makes the higher proportion of tests positive in children 10-14 years old difficult to interpret. Older children may have a higher risk of infection and increasing testing in intermediate and high school aged children may be indicated.
. 2020 Jul 31;133(1519):89-94.
Age-related differences in SARS-CoV-2 testing in the Northern Region of New Zealand
Aakash V Chhibber[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sharmini Muttaiyah[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Gary McAuliffe[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Shivani Fox-Lewis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mary De Almeida[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Matthew Blakiston[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Veronica Playle[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Andrew Fox-Lewis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sally Roberts[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 32777799
Abstract
Aim: There is concern the low incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children reflects under-testing in this population. This study sought to describe the age-distribution of SARS-CoV-2 testing in the Northern Region of New Zealand.
Methods: A retrospective single-centre review of all SARS-CoV-2 tests performed at LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, between 12 February and 18 April 2020.
Results: A total of 22,333 tests were performed, with 313 (1.40%) positive results. The age-adjusted SARS-CoV-2 testing rate was three times higher in adults than in children. The overall proportion of positive tests was lower in children (0.86%) than adults (1.45%). However, within the paediatric population the proportion of tests positive differed significantly between those <10 years old (0.08%) and those 10-14 years old (2.6%).
Conclusion: The lower proportion of tests positive in children <10 years of age suggests they are appropriately tested relative to their rates of disease. A large high school-associated cluster makes the higher proportion of tests positive in children 10-14 years old difficult to interpret. Older children may have a higher risk of infection and increasing testing in intermediate and high school aged children may be indicated.