Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control-Online Journal

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Infection-prevention Procedures Including Rapid Antigen Testing on a Choral Concert Amid Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Hideaki KATO
Infection Prevention and Control Department, Yokohama City University Hospital

Amid novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, choral activities are considered as the activities with the highest risk of spreading infection. Wearing masks on stage is an effective infection control measure; however, it has the disadvantage of making it difficult to sing and reducing the quality of music. We conducted a 12-song, 90-minute choral concert with 24 on-stage singers during the epidemic period in January 2023, with a quantitative rapid antigen test negative on the day of the concert, ensuring social distance on stage, and performing without masks. PCR test was conducted 1 week after the event; only one person was positive for PCR testing. Even during the Omicron strain epidemic, which has a short incubation period, it was considered possible to hold a choral concert without masks by utilizing a quantitative antigen test before the concert.

Key words：COVID-19, aerosol, chorus, antigen testing, social distance

e-mail: ekato＠yokohama-cu.ac.jp

Received: March 17, 2023
Accepted: May 24, 2023

38 (5)：241─244,2023