Dr Suárez, you are the medical director of the SCHOCO project and an infectious disease specialist at the University Hospital of Cologne. What is the SCHOCO project about?
It's about child-friendly testing and screening methods in schools to detect coronavirus infections. SCHOCO stands for ‘Schul-Observation auf Corona’ (school observation for corona). Nose and throat swabs can be particularly difficult for young children. That's why the so-called Lolli tests were tested in schools and daycare centres in a large multicentre study even before the pilot project. In this test procedure, children suck on a normal swab for 30 seconds. The swabs are collected and examined. The first advantage is that it is really easy to take samples – it doesn't hurt, it's quick and it hardly disrupts the lesson.
The second advantage is that all samples from a learning unit are collected in one container. This so-called pool is taken to the laboratory and examined using PCR. If the pool is negative, classes continue as usual. Only if the pool is positive do we have to use individual smears to find out who is infected with SARS-CoV-2. This method, which schools and daycare centres can carry out on their own and which was developed here at the Cologne Virology Department, saves resources and laboratory capacity
How well was the SCHOCO pilot project received?
The number of participants increased from week to week. Acceptance grew as people realised how easy it is. We were able to effectively interrupt chains of infection outside of school as well. That's the whole point of it: to use the school as a window into society. We can say that the pilot phase was a success! Starting in May, the Lolli tests will be rolled out to primary and special schools throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.
What role does Cologne as a centre of science play in your work?
SCHOCO was an extremely interdisciplinary project. In Cologne, we naturally have the advantage of having very research-strong departments here: there is the virology department, but also the children's hospital and the infectious diseases department as part of the Medical Clinic I. The good cooperation with the Cologne Health Department has also been very supportive. A project like this only works if the city is on board. In addition to the interdisciplinary nature of the project, this close connection to the city is certainly a major advantage.
Imagine that your project to combat SARS-CoV-2 was successful. The virus would have been largely defeated. What research project are you particularly looking forward to now?
Corona certainly dominated the field of infectious diseases and medicine as a whole last year. There were definitely many successes there as well. But I think, whether professionally or personally, we would be happy to see other topics again. My research focus in infectious diseases – before Corona – was tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a major global problem. The successes that have been achieved in some countries in recent decades are currently being undermined by the coronavirus pandemic. Many other diseases are ultimately being pushed into the background. I am looking forward to getting back into the topic in more depth.
Finally, a personal question: what will you do first in Cologne when the lockdown is lifted, and what do you particularly miss at the moment?
I miss being able to play with other children normally again or to see my grandchildren without constantly having the risk of infection in the back of my mind. This has a huge impact on our children and is one of the reasons why we are doing this project. What else do I miss? I would love to go to a really great Kasalla or Brings concert with my friends again (laughs).
Dr Suárez, you are the medical director of the SCHOCO project and an infectious disease specialist at the University Hospital of Cologne. What is SCHOCO about?
It is about child-friendly testing and screening methods in schools to detect coronavirus infections. SCHOCO stands for ‘Schul-Observation auf Corona’ (school observation for corona). Nasal and throat swabs can be particularly difficult for young children. That is why the so-called Lolli tests were tested in schools and daycare centres in a large multicentre study even before the pilot project. In this test procedure, children suck on a normal swab for 30 seconds. The swabs are collected and examined. The first advantage is that it is really easy to take samples – it doesn't hurt, it's quick and it hardly disrupts the lesson.
The second advantage is that all samples from a learning unit are collected in one container. This so-called pool is taken to the laboratory and examined using PCR. If the pool is negative, classes continue as usual. Only if the pool is positive do we have to use individual smears to find out who is infected with SARS-CoV-2. This method, which schools and daycare centres can carry out on their own and which was developed here at the Cologne Virology Department, saves resources and laboratory capacity.
How well was the SCHOCO pilot project received?
The number of participants increased from week to week. Acceptance grew as people realised how easy it is. We were able to effectively interrupt chains of infection outside of school as well. That's the whole point of it: to use the school as a window into society. We can say that the pilot phase was a success! Starting in May, the Lolli tests will be rolled out to primary and special schools throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.
What role does Cologne as a centre of science play in your work?
SCHOCO was an extremely interdisciplinary project. In Cologne, we naturally have the advantage of having very research-strong departments here: there is the virology department, but also the children's hospital and the infectious diseases department as part of the Medical Clinic I. The good cooperation with the Cologne Health Department has also been very supportive. A project like this only works if the city is on board. In addition to the interdisciplinary nature of the project, this close connection to the city is certainly a major advantage.
Imagine that your project to combat SARS-CoV-2 was successful. The virus would have been largely defeated. What research project are you particularly looking forward to now?
Corona certainly dominated the field of infectious diseases and medicine as a whole last year. There were definitely many successes there as well. But I think, whether professionally or personally, we would be happy to see other topics again. My research focus in infectious diseases – before Corona – was tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a major global problem. The successes that have been achieved in some countries in recent decades are currently being undermined by the coronavirus pandemic. Many other diseases are ultimately being pushed into the background. I am looking forward to getting back into the topic in more depth.
Finally, a personal question: what will you do first in Cologne when the lockdown is lifted, and what do you particularly miss at the moment?
I miss being able to play with other children normally again or to see my grandchildren without constantly having the risk of infection in the back of my mind. This has a huge impact on our children and is one of the reasons why we are doing this project. What else do I miss? I would love to go to a really great Kasalla or Brings concert with my friends again (laughs).