Analysis of a Division I Sports Medicine Program's COVID-19 Protocol: Identifying Factors that Predict Testing Demands and Positive Rates During a Pandemic.

Abstract

To determine factors indicating testing frequency and positive test results in a Division I sports department intrapandemic. Retrospective analysis. A single Division I collegiate sports department. All student-athlete (n = 437), student staff (n = 89), and adult staff (n = 202) members of the sports department. Total cohort (n = 728). The authors analyzed the independent variables of local positive rates, sport characteristics, and campus events for impact on the volume of the departmental testing and positive rates. Measured dependent variables of the volume of departmental testing and positive rates were analyzed. Positive predictive rates (PPRs) largely differed from local, off-campus rates in timing and duration (59.52%: P < 0.05). Overall, 20633 tests were administered with 201 positive results (0.97% PPR). Student-athlete numbers were highest in all categories, followed by adult then student staff. Greater proportions of contact sports became positive (53.03%: P < 0.001) and all-male sports (47.69%: P < 0.001). No comparative difference was seen for teams using fomites (19.15%: P = 0.403). Spring sports teams had the lowest percentage of the team positive (22.22%: P < 0.001). Winter sports had the highest PPR (1.15%), all occurring during team-controlled activities. Playing sports indoors did not increase inside team-controlled activity positive rates ( P = 0.066). Longitudinal changes in local, off-campus infection rates partially affected sports departmental positive results while testing rates were more influenced by sport and university schedule. Testing resources should be directed toward high-risk sports, which included contact sports (football, basketball, and soccer), all-male teams, both Winter and indoor sports inside team-controlled activities, and sports with long periods of time outside team-controlled activities.