Analysis of COVID-19 outbreaks in three long-term care facilities in Graz, Austria

Source avec lien : American Journal of Infection Control, (Prépublication), . 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.08.006

Les objectifs de notre étude étaient : (1) d’élucider les facteurs contributifs et les voies de transmission du SRAS-CoV-2, (2) d’analyser les symptômes du COVID-19 chez les résidents et le personnel soignant.

Background: Nursing homes and long-term care facilities (LTCF) caring for elderly and chronically ill residents are at high risk to experience SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. We report an outbreak of COVID-19 in three LTCFs of the Geriatric Health Centres of Graz, Austria lasting from 22nd March to 14th April, 2020. Aim: The objectives of our study were: (1) to elucidate contributing factors and transmission pathways of SARS-CoV-2, (2) to analyse symptoms of COVID-19 in the residents and health care workers. Methods: We carried out a retrospective outbreak analysis. Findings: 36/277 residents of 3 LTCFs were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Only a quarter of COVID-19 cases among residents had fever ≥ 38.1°C and 19% suffered from cough. 6/36 residents remained asymptomatic. Hospitalization rate was 58% in residents. Overall, 33% (12/36) residents infected with SARS-CoV-2 died. 19/214 health care workers were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Universal rt-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 of all residents and health care workers as well as infection control measures contributed to ending the outbreaks. Conclusion: Delayed recognition of possible COVID-19 cases due to either mild symptoms or symptoms that were perceived as atypical early in the pandemic contributed to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in LTCFs. This emphasizes the importance of low-threshold testing in LTCF residents.

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