tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Emerg Infect Dis
. 2021 Jun 17;27(8).
doi: 10.3201/eid2708.204838. Online ahead of print.
Transmission Dynamics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in High-Density Settings, Minnesota, USA, March-June 2020
Nicholas B Lehnertz, Xiong Wang, Jacob Garfin, Joanne Taylor, Jennifer Zipprich, Brittany VonBank, Karen Martin, Dana Eikmeier, Carlota Medus, Brooke Wiedinmyer, Carmen Bernu, Matthew Plumb, Kelly Pung, Margaret A Honein, Rosalind Carter, Duncan MacCannell, Kirk E Smith, Kathryn Como-Sabetti, Kris Ehresmann, Richard Danila, Ruth Lynfield
Abstract
Coronavirus disease has disproportionately affected persons in congregate settings and high-density workplaces. To determine more about the transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in these settings, we performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis on 319 (14.4%) samples from 2,222 SARS-CoV-2-positive persons associated with 8 outbreaks in Minnesota, USA, during March-June 2020. Sequencing indicated that virus spread in 3 long-term care facilities and 2 correctional facilities was associated with a single genetic sequence and that in a fourth long-term care facility, outbreak cases were associated with 2 distinct sequences. In contrast, cases associated with outbreaks in 2 meat-processing plants were associated with multiple SARS-CoV-2 sequences. These results suggest that a single introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into a facility can result in a widespread outbreak. Early identification and cohorting (segregating) of virus-positive persons in these settings, along with continued vigilance with infection prevention and control measures, is imperative.
Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Minnesota; SARS-CoV-2; United States; coronavirus disease; epidemiology; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses; whole-genome sequencing; zoonoses.
. 2021 Jun 17;27(8).
doi: 10.3201/eid2708.204838. Online ahead of print.
Transmission Dynamics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in High-Density Settings, Minnesota, USA, March-June 2020
Nicholas B Lehnertz, Xiong Wang, Jacob Garfin, Joanne Taylor, Jennifer Zipprich, Brittany VonBank, Karen Martin, Dana Eikmeier, Carlota Medus, Brooke Wiedinmyer, Carmen Bernu, Matthew Plumb, Kelly Pung, Margaret A Honein, Rosalind Carter, Duncan MacCannell, Kirk E Smith, Kathryn Como-Sabetti, Kris Ehresmann, Richard Danila, Ruth Lynfield
- PMID: 34138695
- DOI: 10.3201/eid2708.204838
Abstract
Coronavirus disease has disproportionately affected persons in congregate settings and high-density workplaces. To determine more about the transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in these settings, we performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis on 319 (14.4%) samples from 2,222 SARS-CoV-2-positive persons associated with 8 outbreaks in Minnesota, USA, during March-June 2020. Sequencing indicated that virus spread in 3 long-term care facilities and 2 correctional facilities was associated with a single genetic sequence and that in a fourth long-term care facility, outbreak cases were associated with 2 distinct sequences. In contrast, cases associated with outbreaks in 2 meat-processing plants were associated with multiple SARS-CoV-2 sequences. These results suggest that a single introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into a facility can result in a widespread outbreak. Early identification and cohorting (segregating) of virus-positive persons in these settings, along with continued vigilance with infection prevention and control measures, is imperative.
Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Minnesota; SARS-CoV-2; United States; coronavirus disease; epidemiology; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; transmission; viruses; whole-genome sequencing; zoonoses.