In:
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 42, No. 9 ( 2021-09), p. 1046-1052
Abstract:
To describe the pattern of transmission of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during 2 nosocomial outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with regard to the possibility of airborne transmission. Design: Contact investigations with active case finding were used to assess the pattern of spread from 2 COVID-19 index patients. Setting: A community hospital and university medical center in the United States, in February and March, 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients: Two index patients and 421 exposed healthcare workers. Methods: Exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) were identified by analyzing the electronic medical record (EMR) and conducting active case finding in combination with structured interviews. Healthcare coworkers (HCWs) were tested for COVID-19 by obtaining oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal specimens, and RT-PCR testing was used to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results: Two separate index patients were admitted in February and March 2020, without initial suspicion for COVID-19 and without contact or droplet precautions in place; both patients underwent several aerosol-generating procedures in this context. In total, 421 HCWs were exposed in total, and the results of the case contact investigations identified 8 secondary infections in HCWs. In all 8 cases, the HCWs had close contact with the index patients without sufficient personal protective equipment. Importantly, despite multiple aerosol-generating procedures, there was no evidence of airborne transmission. Conclusion: These observations suggest that, at least in a healthcare setting, most SARS-CoV-2 transmission is likely to take place during close contact with infected patients through respiratory droplets, rather than by long-distance airborne transmission.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0899-823X
,
1559-6834
DOI:
10.1017/ice.2020.321
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2106319-9
