CONTACT v2.9 [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison Of New and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant Transmissibility through Active Contact Testing
IRAS ID
295376
Contact name
David AJ Moore
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 10 days
Research summary
The main purpose of this study is to compare the proportion of household contacts who become infected by a person with the new variant SARS-CoV-2 virus with the proportion of household contacts who become infected by a person with the non-variant virus.
It has been estimated that the variant virus is 50-70% more transmissible than the original virus and it might cause more severe disease. Most research to date has used routine health service data which is readily available and can provide quick answers but can suffer from inaccuracies and gaps from the way in which it is collected. We aim to supplement the evidence about the comparative transmissibility of the new variant virus and the disease severity by investigating people who have been exposed to it.
In this study we will directly test household contacts with a known exposure to a household member with either the variant or the original virus to determine what proportion have become infected. This requires a blood test to look for antibodies to the virus (a serology test). We will ask questions about symptoms of COVID-19 illness to determine if contacts are more or less likely to become ill at the time of infection and/or develop symptoms of so-called 'long COVID'.
We will identify eligible households from testing performed at UCLH and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trusts (290 each with a household member who has had variant virus COVID or original virus COVID). By telephone we will invite the index case and all other household members to participate. Those who agree to take part will be asked to complete a brief online questionnaire and will be scheduled for a home visit for a blood test for each member.
We will share and explain serology results, and whether the index case had variant virus, with households.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/HRA/0735
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion