Linking sporadic hospital clusters during a community surge of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.617.2 delta variant: The utility of whole-genome sequencing

• Published in: Infection control and hospital epidemiology Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 1014 - 1018
• Main Authors: Wee, Liang En, Ko, Karrie Kwan-Ki, Conceicao, Edwin Philip, Sim, Jean Xiang-Ying, Rahman, Nurdyana Abdul, Tan, Shireen Yan-Ling, Cao, Delphine Yan-Hong, Chan, Kenneth Xing-Long, Aung, May Kyawt, Aung, Myat Oo, Yong, Yang, Arora, Shalvi, How, Molly Kue Bien, Tan, Kwee Yuen, Lee, Lai Chee, Tan, Thuan Tong, Wijaya, Limin, Sim, James Heng Chiak, Suphavilai, Chayaporn, Venkatachalam, Indumathi, Ling, Moi Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Antigens; Asymptomatic; Concise Communication; Contact tracing; COVID-19; Disease transmission; Epidemics; Genomes; Health care; Infections; Kidney transplants; Patients; Pharmacy; Prevention; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• ISSN: 0899-823X; 1559-6834
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2022.106

Sporadic clusters of healthcare-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred despite intense rostered routine surveillance and a highly vaccinated healthcare worker (HCW) population, during a community surge of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.617.2 δ (delta) variant. Genomic analysis facilitated timely cluster detection and uncovered additional linkages via HCWs moving between clinical areas and among HCWs sharing a common lunch area, enabling early intervention.