565 - COVID-19 Planning, Response, and Lessons Learned from Indiana University

Poster Number: 565
Publication Number: 565.240

Erika Cheng, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Lora D. Headdy-Fox, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States; Aaron E. Carroll, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant public health challenge to colleges and universities across the US.

Objective: We describe the main strategies undertaken at Indiana University and identify transferable lessons for others working to control the spread and impact of COVID-19.

Design/Methods: Indiana University developed and implemented several data-driven prevention and containment measures in response to COVID-19. To start the fall semester with as few cases as possible, we tested all congregate living students arriving on campus using nasal antigen swabs, and off-campus students using saliva-based PCR tests, isolating positive cases in designated housing following CDC guidelines. We then set up a multifaceted approach to contain cases, including: (1) testing all symptomatic constituents; (2) testing asymptomatic faculty, staff and students to determine the background prevalence of infection on campus, identify groups with high rates of infection, and isolate positive cases; (3) contact tracing and outbreak investigation; and (4) quarantine and isolation. We selected constituents for mitigation testing each week based on analysis of past results, oversampling high-risk populations and monitoring compliance. We developed of our own CLIA-certified labs and PCR testing capabilities. Communication strategies emphasized a shared goal of defeating the pandemic. Weekly webinars focused on the pandemic response, disclosing all information to the IU community in an open and transparent manner.

Results: Indiana University’s holistic approach played a positive role in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic on campuses statewide. Campuses avoided closures by combining testing and isolation with enhanced communication. We detected 5,572 cases during the 2020-2021 academic year (overall positivity rate 0.79%).Conclusion(s): Indiana University’s unprecedented efforts contained the spread of COVID-19 across 9 campuses statewide and resulted in low relative burden of disease. The testing and containment strategies we developed allowed for rapid detection and isolation of outbreaks on campuses statewide. Enhanced communication and the availability of PCR testing facilities also played a crucial role in IU’s successful response. Lessons from the IU experience have implications for other US colleges and universities and can be used to inform campus-wide responses to infectious disease outbreak.