Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the world’s largest public health concern. This study evaluated COVID-19 transmission risks in people in group living environments. A total of 4550 individuals with a history of recent contact with patients at different places (dormitory/home/outside the residences) and levels (close/lower-risk) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA using a nasopharyngeal swab test between July 2020 and May 2021. The test-positive rate was highest in individuals who had contact in dormitories (27.5%), but the rates were largely different between dormitories with different infrastructural or lifestyle features and infection control measures among residents. With appropriate infection control measures, the secondary transmission risk in dormitories was adequately suppressed. The household transmission rate (12.6%) was as high as that of close contact outside the residences (11.3%) and accounted for > 60% of the current rate of COVID-19 transmission among non-adults. Household transmission rates synchronized to local epidemics with changed local capacity of quarantining infectious patients. In conclusion, a group living environment is a significant risk factor of secondary transmission. Appropriate infection control measures and quarantine of infectious residents will decrease the risk of secondary transmission in group living environments.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the world’s largest public health concern
We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results stratified by the location and level of contact with patients with COVID-19 to estimate the risk of each potential contact-related predisposing factor in the transmission of COVID-19
This study examined and evaluated the risks of group living environments, such as dormitories or households, for acquiring the COVID-19 infection by using RT-PCR test results from 4550 participants with a history of recent contact with patients
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the world’s largest public health concern. A total of 4550 individuals with a history of recent contact with patients at different places (dormitory/home/outside the residences) and levels (close/lower-risk) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA using a nasopharyngeal swab test between July 2020 and May 2021. Appropriate infection control measures and quarantine of infectious residents will decrease the risk of secondary transmission in group living environments. Governments in many countries have established a definition for close contact with COVID-19 patients, focusing on risk behaviors that may predispose droplet infections[12], and have implemented quarantine measures (e.g., hospitals, quarantine hotels) for infectious patients and high-risk individuals[13]. We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results stratified by the location and level of contact with patients with COVID-19 to estimate the risk of each potential contact-related predisposing factor (contact in group living facility, household contact, close contact outside the residence) in the transmission of COVID-19
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
