Linking sporadic hospital clusters during a community surge of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.617.2 delta variant: The utility of whole-genome sequencing

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Jun;44(6):1014-1018. doi: 10.1017/ice.2022.106. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Abstract

Sporadic clusters of healthcare-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred despite intense rostered routine surveillance and a highly vaccinated healthcare worker (HCW) population, during a community surge of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.617.2 δ (delta) variant. Genomic analysis facilitated timely cluster detection and uncovered additional linkages via HCWs moving between clinical areas and among HCWs sharing a common lunch area, enabling early intervention.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • Virus Diseases*

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants