An outbreak of COVID-19 associated with a fitness centre in Saskatchewan: Lessons for prevention.

COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 active case finding cluster investigation gym physical distancing public health ventilation whole genome sequencing

Journal

Canada communicable disease report = Releve des maladies transmissibles au Canada
ISSN: 1188-4169
Titre abrégé: Can Commun Dis Rep
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 9303729

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
10 Nov 2021
Historique:
entrez: 25 3 2022
pubmed: 26 3 2022
medline: 26 3 2022
Statut: epublish

Résumé

An outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Saskatchewan from September 12 to October 20, 2020. The index event, attendance at a local gym, seeded six additional clusters/outbreaks in multiple settings. These included a high school, a hospital, three workplaces (A, B and C) and several households. The overall cluster comprised 63 cases, 27 gym members and an additional 36 second, third and fourth generation cases. All outbreak-related, laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were included in the analysis. Local public health authorities interviewed all cases and contacts and conducted environmental investigations of the fitness facility. We used descriptive epidemiological methods to understand transmission dynamics of the gym-associated cluster using case investigation, contact investigation and laboratory data, including whole genome sequencing. Sequencing data confirmed the unique lineage of cluster-related cases (n=32 sequenced; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] lineage B.1.1.72). In addition to gym attendance, infectious cases attended high school and were involved in other activities. Despite ongoing transmission in the fitness facility, no secondary cases were identified in the high school where four student belonging to the cluster attended class during their infectious period. We describe an outbreak of COVID-19 where the index case(s) attended a fitness facility, and further spread occurred for 38 days despite active-case finding and isolation of positive cases over this period. Due to gym attendance over time, short-term closing and cleaning may not interrupt chains of transmission. Targeted, preventive public health action in fitness facilities may be warranted. Control measures worked to limit in-school acquisition.

Sections du résumé

Background UNASSIGNED
An outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Saskatchewan from September 12 to October 20, 2020. The index event, attendance at a local gym, seeded six additional clusters/outbreaks in multiple settings. These included a high school, a hospital, three workplaces (A, B and C) and several households. The overall cluster comprised 63 cases, 27 gym members and an additional 36 second, third and fourth generation cases.
Methods UNASSIGNED
All outbreak-related, laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were included in the analysis. Local public health authorities interviewed all cases and contacts and conducted environmental investigations of the fitness facility. We used descriptive epidemiological methods to understand transmission dynamics of the gym-associated cluster using case investigation, contact investigation and laboratory data, including whole genome sequencing.
Results UNASSIGNED
Sequencing data confirmed the unique lineage of cluster-related cases (n=32 sequenced; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] lineage B.1.1.72). In addition to gym attendance, infectious cases attended high school and were involved in other activities. Despite ongoing transmission in the fitness facility, no secondary cases were identified in the high school where four student belonging to the cluster attended class during their infectious period.
Conclusion UNASSIGNED
We describe an outbreak of COVID-19 where the index case(s) attended a fitness facility, and further spread occurred for 38 days despite active-case finding and isolation of positive cases over this period. Due to gym attendance over time, short-term closing and cleaning may not interrupt chains of transmission. Targeted, preventive public health action in fitness facilities may be warranted. Control measures worked to limit in-school acquisition.

Identifiants

pubmed: 35330955
doi: 10.14745/ccdr.v47i11a08
pii: 471108
pmc: PMC8896684
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

485-490

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Références

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Auteurs

Maureen Anderson (M)

Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
Saskatchewan Health Authority, Population Health, Saskatoon, SK.

Ashok Chhetri (A)

Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
Saskatchewan Health Authority, Population Health, Saskatoon, SK.

Edith Halyk (E)

Saskatchewan Health Authority, Public Health Services, Yorkton, SK.

Amanda Lang (A)

Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, Regina, SK.

Ryan McDonald (R)

Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, Regina, SK.

Julie Kryzanowski (J)

Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
Population Health Branch, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, Regina, SK.

Jessica Minion (J)

Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, Regina, SK.

Molly Trecker (M)

Saskatchewan Health Authority, Population Health, Saskatoon, SK.

Classifications MeSH