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Krishna A, Tutt J, Grewal M, Bragdon S, Moreshead S. Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Rural Community Hospital during Omicron Predominance. Microorganisms 2024; 12:686. [PMID: 38674630 PMCID: PMC11051707 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has increased since the discovery of the Omicron variant. We describe a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the medicine-surgery unit of a rural community hospital at the time of high community transmission of Omicron variant in our county. The outbreak occurred in the medicine-surgery unit of an 89-bed rural community hospital in northern Maine. The characteristics of the patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the outbreak are described. Patient and HCW data collected as part of the outbreak investigation were used in this report. The outbreak control measures implemented are also described. A total of 24 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 including 11 patients and 13 HCWs. A total of 12 of the 24 (50%) persons were symptomatic, and rhinorrhea was the most common symptom noted (8/12, 67%). None of the symptomatic persons had gastrointestinal symptoms or symptoms of a loss of sense of smell or taste. All HCWs were vaccinated and 8 of the 11 patients were vaccinated. Outbreak control measures in the affected unit included implementation of full PPE (N95 respirators, eye protection, gowns and gloves) during all patient care, serial testing of employees and patients in the affected unit, cohorting positive patients, closing visitation and thorough environmental cleaning including use of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection. This outbreak exemplifies the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The outbreak occurred despite a well-established infection control program. We noted that serial testing, use of N95 respirators during all patient care and UV disinfection were some of the measures that could be successful in outbreak control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Krishna
- Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USA; (J.T.); (M.G.); (S.B.)
| | - Julie Tutt
- Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USA; (J.T.); (M.G.); (S.B.)
| | - Mehr Grewal
- Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USA; (J.T.); (M.G.); (S.B.)
| | - Sheila Bragdon
- Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USA; (J.T.); (M.G.); (S.B.)
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Huguet-Torres A, Castro-Sánchez E, Capitán-Moyano L, Sánchez-Rodríguez C, Bennasar-Veny M, Yáñez AM. Personal protective measures and settings on the risk of SARS-COV-2 community transmission: a case-control study. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1327082. [PMID: 38259788 PMCID: PMC10801386 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1327082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, nurses of primary health care has been an important role in Spain. Even so, the data obtained in the tracing have been scarcely used to investigate the possible mechanisms of transmission. Few studies focused on community transmission, evaluating the effectiveness of individual protective measures and exposure environment. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the association between individual protective measures and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the community and to compare secondary attack rates in different exposure settings. Methods A case-control study from contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 index patients. COVID-19 contact tracing was led by nurses at the COVID-19 Coordinating Centre in Majorca (Spain). During the systematic tracing, additional information for this study was collected from the index patient (social-demographic variables, symptoms, the number of close contacts). And also, the following variables from their close contacts: contact place, ventilation characteristics mask-wearing, type of mask, duration of contact, shortest distance, case-contact relationship, household members, and handwashing, the test result for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic. Close contacts with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were classified as "cases" and those negative as "controls." Results A total of 1,778 close contacts from 463 index patients were identified. No significant differences were observed between the sexes but between age groups. Overall Secondary Attack Rate (SAR) was 24.0% (95% CI: 22.0-26.0%), 36.9% (95% CI: 33.2-40.6%) in closed spaces without ventilation and 50.7% (95% CI: 45.6-55.8%) in exposure time > 24 h. A total of 49.2% of infections occurred among household members. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that open-air setting (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27-0.71), exposure for less than 1 h (OR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.11-0.32), and wearing a mask (OR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85) had a protective effect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Conclusion Ventilation of the space, mask-wearing and shorter exposure time were associated with a lower risk of transmission in the community. The data obtained allowed an assessment of community transmission mechanisms and could have helped to improve and streamline tracing by identifying close contacts at higher risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Huguet-Torres
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Enrique Castro-Sánchez
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- College of Business, Arts, and Social Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Capitán-Moyano
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Cristian Sánchez-Rodríguez
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Bennasar-Veny
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health and Lifestyle, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina M Yáñez
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health and Lifestyle, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
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Hare D, Dembicka KM, Brennan C, Campbell C, Sutton-Fitzpatrick U, Stapleton PJ, De Gascun CF, Dunne CP. Whole-genome sequencing to investigate transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the acute healthcare setting: a systematic review. J Hosp Infect 2023; 140:139-155. [PMID: 37562592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been used widely to elucidate transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in acute healthcare settings, and to guide infection, prevention, and control (IPC) responses. AIM To systematically appraise available literature, published between January 1st, 2020 and June 30th, 2022, describing the implementation of WGS in acute healthcare settings to characterize nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission. METHODS Searches of the PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, EBSCO MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases identified studies in English reporting the use of WGS to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in acute healthcare environments. Publications involved data collected up to December 31st, 2021, and findings were reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. FINDINGS In all, 3088 non-duplicate records were retrieved; 97 met inclusion criteria, involving 62 outbreak analyses and 35 genomic surveillance studies. No publications from low-income countries were identified. In 87/97 (90%), WGS supported hypotheses for nosocomial transmission, while in 46 out of 97 (47%) suspected transmission events were excluded. An IPC intervention was attributed to the use of WGS in 18 out of 97 (18%); however, only three (3%) studies reported turnaround times ≤7 days facilitating near real-time IPC action, and none reported an impact on the incidence of nosocomial COVID-19 attributable to WGS. CONCLUSION WGS can elucidate transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in acute healthcare settings to enhance epidemiological investigations. However, evidence was not identified to support sequencing as an intervention to reduce the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital or to alter the trajectory of active outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hare
- UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
| | - K M Dembicka
- School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - C Brennan
- UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Campbell
- UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - C F De Gascun
- UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - C P Dunne
- School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation & Immunity (4i), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Loeb M, Bartholomew A, Hashmi M, Tarhuni W, Hassany M, Youngster I, Somayaji R, Larios O, Kim J, Missaghi B, Vayalumkal JV, Mertz D, Chagla Z, Cividino M, Ali K, Mansour S, Castellucci LA, Frenette C, Parkes L, Downing M, Muller M, Glavin V, Newton J, Hookoom R, Leis JA, Kinross J, Smith S, Borhan S, Singh P, Pullenayegum E, Conly J. Medical Masks Versus N95 Respirators for Preventing COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers : A Randomized Trial. Ann Intern Med 2022; 175:1629-1638. [PMID: 36442064 PMCID: PMC9707441 DOI: 10.7326/m22-1966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is uncertain if medical masks offer similar protection against COVID-19 compared with N95 respirators. OBJECTIVE To determine whether medical masks are noninferior to N95 respirators to prevent COVID-19 in health care workers providing routine care. DESIGN Multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04296643). SETTING 29 health care facilities in Canada, Israel, Pakistan, and Egypt from 4 May 2020 to 29 March 2022. PARTICIPANTS 1009 health care workers who provided direct care to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. INTERVENTION Use of medical masks versus fit-tested N95 respirators for 10 weeks, plus universal masking, which was the policy implemented at each site. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was confirmed COVID-19 on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. RESULTS In the intention-to-treat analysis, RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 52 of 497 (10.46%) participants in the medical mask group versus 47 of 507 (9.27%) in the N95 respirator group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.69]). An unplanned subgroup analysis by country found that in the medical mask group versus the N95 respirator group RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 8 of 131 (6.11%) versus 3 of 135 (2.22%) in Canada (HR, 2.83 [CI, 0.75 to 10.72]), 6 of 17 (35.29%) versus 4 of 17 (23.53%) in Israel (HR, 1.54 [CI, 0.43 to 5.49]), 3 of 92 (3.26%) versus 2 of 94 (2.13%) in Pakistan (HR, 1.50 [CI, 0.25 to 8.98]), and 35 of 257 (13.62%) versus 38 of 261 (14.56%) in Egypt (HR, 0.95 [CI, 0.60 to 1.50]). There were 47 (10.8%) adverse events related to the intervention reported in the medical mask group and 59 (13.6%) in the N95 respirator group. LIMITATION Potential acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 through household and community exposure, heterogeneity between countries, uncertainty in the estimates of effect, differences in self-reported adherence, differences in baseline antibodies, and between-country differences in circulating variants and vaccination. CONCLUSION Among health care workers who provided routine care to patients with COVID-19, the overall estimates rule out a doubling in hazard of RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 for medical masks when compared with HRs of RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 for N95 respirators. The subgroup results varied by country, and the overall estimates may not be applicable to individual countries because of treatment effect heterogeneity. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Canadian Institutes of Health Research, World Health Organization, and Juravinski Research Institute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Loeb
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (M.L.)
| | - Amy Bartholomew
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (A.B., J.N., P.S.)
| | | | - Wadea Tarhuni
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Canadian Cardiac Research Centre, Windsor, Ontario, Canada (W.T.)
| | - Mohamed Hassany
- National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt (M.Hassany)
| | - Ilan Youngster
- Shamir Medical Center, Tzrifin, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (I.Y.)
| | - Ranjani Somayaji
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (R.S., O.L., J.Kim, B.M., J.C.)
| | - Oscar Larios
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (R.S., O.L., J.Kim, B.M., J.C.)
| | - Joseph Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (R.S., O.L., J.Kim, B.M., J.C.)
| | - Bayan Missaghi
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (R.S., O.L., J.Kim, B.M., J.C.)
| | - Joseph V Vayalumkal
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (J.V.V.)
| | - Dominik Mertz
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (D.M., R.H.)
| | - Zain Chagla
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, and St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Z.C.)
| | | | - Karim Ali
- Niagara Health System, Niagara, Ontario, Canada (K.A.)
| | | | - Lana A Castellucci
- Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (L.A.C.)
| | - Charles Frenette
- McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (C.F.)
| | | | - Mark Downing
- Unity Health-St. Joseph's, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (M.D.)
| | - Matthew Muller
- Unity Health-St. Michael's, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (M.M.)
| | - Verne Glavin
- Brantford Community Health System, Brantford, Ontario, Canada (V.G.)
| | - Jennifer Newton
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (A.B., J.N., P.S.)
| | - Ravi Hookoom
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (D.M., R.H.)
| | - Jerome A Leis
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (J.A.L.)
| | | | - Stephanie Smith
- University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (S.S.)
| | - Sayem Borhan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (S.B.)
| | - Pardeep Singh
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (A.B., J.N., P.S.)
| | | | - John Conly
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (R.S., O.L., J.Kim, B.M., J.C.)
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Smallwood N, Harrex W, Rees M, Willis K, Bennett CM. COVID-19 infection and the broader impacts of the pandemic on healthcare workers. Respirology 2022; 27:411-426. [PMID: 35048469 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease or COVID-19 pandemic is associated with more than 230 million cases and has challenged healthcare systems globally. Many healthcare workers (HCWs) have acquired the infection, often through their workplace, with a significant number dying. The epidemiology of COVID-19 infection in HCWs continues to be explored, with manifold exposure risks identified, leading to COVID-19 being recognised as an occupational disease for HCWs. The physical illness due to COVID-19 in HCWs is similar to the general population, with some HCWs experiencing a long-term illness, which may impact their ability to return to work. HCWs have also been affected by the immense workplace and psychosocial disruption caused by the pandemic. The impacts on the psychological well-being of HCWs globally have been profound, with high prevalence estimates for mental health symptoms, including emotional exhaustion. Globally, governments, healthcare organisations and employers have key responsibilities, including: to be better prepared for crises with comprehensive disaster response management plans, and to protect and preserve the health workforce from the physical and psychological impacts of the pandemic. While prioritising HCWs in vaccine rollouts globally has been critical, managing exposures and outbreaks occurring in healthcare settings remains challenging and continues to lead to substantial disruption to the health workforce. Safeguarding healthcare workforces during crises is critical as we move forward on the new path of 'COVID normal'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Smallwood
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warren Harrex
- Consultant Occupational & Environmental Physician, Woden, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Megan Rees
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, RMH, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Willis
- Public Health, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Division of Critical Care and Investigative Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine M Bennett
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
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