Table 1:

Performance of rapid antigen detection tests in the participant groups

RADT (nasal)PositiveResults, no. of participantsInvalidClinical performance of RADTsSpecificity, % (95% CI)
PCR (gargle)Sensitivity, % (95% CI)
NegativeEquivocal or weak positiveExcluding equivocal or weak positiveIncluding equivocal or weak positive
Asymptomatic students*
Positive7100n = 17
41.2 (21.6–64.0)
n = 26
26.9 (13.7–46.1)
100§ (99.9–100)
Negative10554997
Invalid0000
Asymptomatic students considered exposed contacts of positive index cases
Positive4600n = 14
28.6 (8.4–58.1)
n = 15
26.7 (7.8–55.1)
99.6 (99.1–99.9)
Negative10147010
Invalid0000
Symptomatic students
Positive1000083.3 (51.6–97.9)NA100.0 (98.4–100.0)
Negative222300
Invalid0000
Asymptomatic staff members
Positive0100NANA99.9 (99.3–100.0)
Negative077502
Invalid0000
Asymptomatic staff members considered exposed contacts of positive index cases
Positive0000NANA100.0 (94.1–100.0)
Negative06100
Invalid0000
Symptomatic staff members
Positive100050.0 (1.3–98.7)NA100.0 (94.3–100.0)
Negative16200
Invalid0000
  • Note: CI = confidence interval, NA = not applicable, PCR = polymerase chain reaction, RADT = rapid antigen detection test.

  • * Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, based on PCR results (including equivocal and weakly positive results): 0.30% (95% CI 0.18%–0.49%).

  • Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, based on PCR results (including equivocal and weakly positive results): 0.7% (95% CI 0.5%–1.6%).

  • Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, based on PCR results (including equivocal and weakly positive results): 5.1% (95% CI 2.65%–8.71%).

  • § The specificity of RADT in asymptomatic students was 99.98% when adjusted to 2 decimal places.