Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools Using Built Environment Testing in Ottawa, Canada: A Multi-Facility Prospective Surveillance Study

Classroom and staffroom floor swabs across six elementary schools in Ottawa, Canada were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Schools in neighbourhoods with historically elevated COVID-19 burden had lower environmental swab positivity. Environmental test positivity did not correlate with student grade groups, school-level absenteeism, pediatric COVID-19-related hospitalizations, or community SARS-CoV-2 wastewater levels. Summary Environmental SARS-CoV-2 sampling was performed in six schools in Ottawa, Canada. The percentage of floor swabs detecting SARS-CoV2 was not correlated with absenteeism, pediatric hospitalizations, or wastewater data. Schools in neighbourhoods with previously elevated COVID-19 rates had lower test positivity. ### Competing Interest Statement ED works for DNA Genotek that provided sampling swabs in-kind for this study in an unrestricted fashion. DNA Genotek had no control over the findings, interpretations, or conclusions published in this paper. MF is a consultant for ProofDx, a start-up company that has created a point of care testing device for adults with COVID-19 using CRISPR. DM is a consultant for wastewater surveillance, World Bank. All other authors have no relevant conflicts to disclose. ### Funding Statement This project was supported by funding from a CIHR Operating Grant (EGA 179419). ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethics review was waived by the Research Ethics Board of the University of Ottawa as no identifiable human data were collected. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data is not available for sharing.