Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital in Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2022 Aug 5:55:e0177. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0177-2022. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Background: An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant was detected in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital in Brasília, Brazil.

Methods: We report the investigation, clinical outcomes, viral sequencing, and control measures applied to outbreak containment.

Results: The overall attack rate was 95% (23/24) in a period of 13 days. Among the cases, 78% (18/23) were vaccinated and 17% (4/23) required intensive care. The Omicron variant was isolated from the 19 sequenced samples.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the potential harm that highly transmissible variants may generate among hospitalized populations, particularly those with comorbidities.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • COVID-19*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Hospitals, General
  • Humans
  • Psychiatric Department, Hospital
  • SARS-CoV-2* / genetics

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants