September 22, 2020

Whole-Genome Sequencing to Track SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Nosocomial Outbreaks

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

Keywords (Tags): health care setting, transmission

• Whole virus genome viral sequencing of hospital-acquired cases of COVID-19 (March to April) in a tertiary referral center in Ireland indicated that the majority of the hospital-acquired cases occurred in patients highly dependent on nursing care. The authors conclude that this suggests that the likely route of transmission was by close contact or droplet, rather than aerosol, transmission. Mortality among hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections was 33%, consistent with other studies of outbreaks in a hospital setting.

Lucey et al. (Sept 19, 2020). Whole-Genome Sequencing to Track SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Nosocomial Outbreaks. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1433