PCR TESTING FOR SARS-CoV-2 AMONG STUDENTS OF MEDICAL UNIVERSITY-PLEVEN DURING THE FOURTH WAVE OF COVID PANDEMIC

The aim of the study was to determine the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among students of Medical University-Pleven during the fourth wave of the COVID pandemic by PCR testing and to analyze epidemiological data. Material and methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted for the period November-December 2022. A sociological method of data collection (interview) was used, and a questionnaire was developed for this purpose. Nasopharyngeal swab was taken from the students and RT-PCR analysis of SARS-CoV-2 was performed. Results: An interview was conducted with 200 students from various specialties at Medical University-Pleven. Clinical symptoms were reported by 24 (12%) of respondents, the leading ones being runny nose and cough; with comorbid conditions were 10 participants (5%) with predominant chronic lung diseases. Three students reported contact with coronavirus-positive patients. Six of the participants had travelled abroad in the past 14 days. Eighty-four students (42%) were immunized: 25 with one dose, 43 with two doses and 16 with three doses. Only two tested samples (1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Both subjects reported complaints at the sampling time and were unvaccinated. Conclusion: The results of the study show a low percentage of infected, mostly non-immunized persons, which coincides with the trend in Bulgaria during the fourth wave of the COVID pandemic.