Decision to Close a Factory in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Only One Hour of Work

Abstract

Aim: Accurate and rapid screening with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is important for epidemic management. In our study, samples taken at a local factory were evaluated to report cases of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we show the importance of the pooling method. Materials and Methods: In this study, samples were taken from 840 people with suspected COVID-19 in a textile factory in Turkey. COVID-19 RT-qPCR Detection Kit (Bio-Speedy®) performing one-step reverse transcription (RT) and real-time PCR (qPCR) (RT-qPCR) targeting the RNA- dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 The specific region was used. Non-sigmoid curves and curves below the threshold level were considered negative. The result was interpreted as SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) positive if RdRp was positive and as SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) negative if RdRp was negative. Results: Among the pooled samples, 20 (23%) were found to be positive, and when the samples were studied individually, 102 (12%) were positive. Since all the samples fit on a single test plate with the aid of pooling method, it was possible to work at once and the results were obtained 1 h after the samples arrived at the laboratory. Thus, the separation of positive and negative persons was carried out in 1 h by pooling and it was 12 times shorter. Conclusion: In cases where large screening groups need a rapid diagnosis, pooling is thought to be beneficial in terms of preventive medicine and social and economic aspects.