Recently, our #COVID19 serology group @MGHPathology became aware that a disproportionate number of COVID19 cases were from Chelsea, a small town near Boston. We wanted to help public health & city officials understand the extent of the outbreak using serology assays we validated https://twitter.com/MGHCCHI1/status/1251599316759842817

We used a point-of-care assay that using a fingerprick of blood to tell if someone has antibodies to COVID19. If they had antibodies, this means they likely had been infected with COVID19 in the past, or are currently infected with COVID19.

Importantly, our #ClinicalPathology group at MGH had done extensive validation on the assay we used in this study. It was both sensitive (picked up antibodies if there) and specific (very rare false positives) in the large cohorts of validated samples we tested.

We did not advertise for the study ahead of time. The team set up in the town square next to a grocery store and public transportation. We wanted a random sample of pedestrians in Chelsea. Participants had to live in Chelsea and not have been previously tested for COVID19

The results were surprising – nearly 1/3 of individuals had antibodies to COVID19. Because it takes 7-10 days after symptoms start to detect antibodies, this means even more people are currently infected that we are not detecting.

We reported our results in near real-time to town and Partners leaders (IRB approved on Tuesday morning, sampled participants Tuesday and Wednesday, met with ~20 City/MGH Chelsea/MGH leaders Thursday morning) so they could create a plan to help this community

People are mobilizing quickly. MGH has delivered 25,000 masks to Chelsea (town of 40,000), expanded testing to allow for anyone who has symptoms to be tested (not just MGH patients), and created special kits for those recovering in isolation.
#MGHStrong

Area hotels have been turned into temporary isolation units for those positive for COVID-19 by PCR, need to isolate from family, but don’t need acute care in a hospital. Other plans are in the works to care for most vulnerable in this community.

We hope to publish full results very soon, and I’ll expand on many more details then, but I’m so proud of the MGH team for realizing something needed to be done and doing it.
#MGHStrong
#AllInThisTogether

A huge shout out to the crew that went into what is the hardest hit community in MA, risked their own exposure, to help. I’m in quarantine myself (COVID+), but @MGHmedicine fellows & @MGHpathology residents & VICE-CHAIR were out there on the front line doing fingerpricks

Proud of the dedication of our team, MGH Chelsea staff, city leaders, volunteers, & MGH as a whole to mobilize in real time to identify & help Chelsea. This video from Chelsea high school saying Thank You & knowing we are helping makes it all worth it