Role of Contact Tracing in COVID 19: A Tertiary Health Care Experience from South India

Abstract

Introduction: As the cases surge in the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, key lessons on the transmission dynamics among health care workers (HCWs) in a hospital setting through effective contact tracing will help strengthen an already overworked healthcare system.
 Materials & Methodology: All HCWs who were exposed to laboratory confirmed cases of COVID 19 reported in the hospital during the period April 2020 to November 2021 were contacted. History regarding onset of symptoms, high risk and low risk contacts at the workplace from within 48 hours prior to onset of symptoms (symptomatic) or being tested positive (in asymptomatic) were enquired. Subsequently, among high risk contacts, staff turning positive following exposure were examined to ascertain factors associated with COVID 19 transmission
 Results: A total of 184 staff was quarantined as high risk contacts following exposure to a COVID positive fellow worker or patient. Of this, 29.3% (54) turned positive. Factors associated with acquisition of COVID 19 disease identified were lack of use of goggles/ face shield during an aerosol generating procedure, spending excess time together during coffee breaks or in changing rooms. Vaccination, prompt reporting of symptoms and testing helped to curtail clusters through prompt contact tracing.
 Conclusion: Judicious use of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) with universal masking, vaccination, hand hygiene and following social distancing helps control of COVID 19 transmission in hospitals. Health Care workers especially of the non clinical sector must be well trained in infection control practices & PPE usage. Active surveillance and dynamic contact tracing effectively identifies as well as increases awareness in high risk areas that curtails COVID 19 clusters within the hospital.