Early Warning and Rapid Public Health Response to Prevent COVID-19 Outbreaks in Long-term Care Facilities (LTCF) by Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 RNA in LTCF Site-specific Sewage Samples and Assessment of Antibodies Response in this Population [SSSIS, study data contributed to the CITF Databank]

<b>Background:</b>Residents of Canadian long-term care facilities (LTCF) experience challenges with social distancing and the movement of staff between the facility and their communities, which increases their vulnerability to COVID-19. <br>

<b>Aims of the CITF-funded study:</b> The SSSIS study aimed to 1) investigate and conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the use of a site-specific sewage surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 as an early warning system to prevent outbreaks in LTCFs; 2) study the antibody response of residents and staff in LTCFs; and 3) evaluate the execution of commercial assays aimed to detect vaccine-induced antibodies and the correlation with neutralizing antibody responses.<br>

<b>Methods:</b> For Part I of this study where the unit of analysis was long-term care facilities, sewage samples were monitored semiweekly: if the sample tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, no action was taken, but positive results warranted an investigation if necessary. Part II was a cohort study was conducted in a different set of LTCF, where residents and staff were recruited from the LTCF Associations across Edmonton region of Alberta. Participants completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample (venipuncture or DBS) at baseline and at follow-ups pre-vaccine, pre-second dose, and 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-months post second dose. <br>

<b>Summary of dataset contents:</b> For Part I of this study, a total of 2,936 sewage samples were collected from 12 sites between Jan 2021 and May 2023: 36% (1,058) of the sewage samples were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. For Part II of this study, the datasets include 364 participants (241 staffs and 123 residents) who completed a questionnaire between Feb 2021 and Aug 2021. All participants provided one or more blood samples at baseline and during follow-up visits up to Dec 2022. A total of 966 blood samples were collected. Variables include data in the following areas of information: demographics (age, gender), exposure risk factors (dining place for residence, working site for staff), longitudinal follow-up for COVID infections (COVID test) and vaccination, and serology.