ABSTRACT
Background. Regardless of severity of acute SARS-CoV-2 illness, adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at risk for post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Long COVID is typically classified as symptoms lasting greater than four weeks post-infection. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of resolved and unresolved long COVID symptoms in adults residing in greater Nashville, TN. Methods. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of SARS-CoV-2-positive and exposed individuals from March 20 to May 15, 2020. Participants for this analysis were included if: 1) ≥18 years;2) SARS-CoV-2 positive by molecular or antibody testing;and 3) completed a one-year visit. Demographic and illness information were collected at enrollment, and long COVID symptoms were systematically collected at the one-year survey. Long COVID symptoms are defined as an adult experiencing at least one of the following symptoms four weeks post-infection: fatigue, confusion, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, muscle aches, inability to exercise, or heart palpitations. Unresolved symptoms are defined as an individual with long COVID still experiencing symptoms at the one-year visit. Results. A total of 115 adults enrolled and completed the one-year survey, of which 63 (54.8%) were SARS-CoV-2-positive, with one asymptomatic individual. Of SARS-CoV-2-positive symptomatic adults, 32 (51%) were female, 5 (88%) were of Hispanic ethnicity, and 58 (92%) were white. At the one-year visit, 33 (52%) reported having long COVID, of which 17 (52%) reported having unresolved symptoms. Fatigue (89%), headache (89%), muscle aches (79%), and cough (77%) were the most common symptoms reported at illness onset (Figure 1). Among 33 adults with long COVID, fatigue (42%), loss of smell (39%), and loss of taste (33%) were most common (Figure 2A). In the 17 individuals with unresolved symptoms, loss of smell (29%) and loss of taste (24%) were commonly reported (Figure 2B). Figure 1. COVID-19 symptoms reported at enrollment (n=62) Figure 2. Long COVID (symptoms lasting ≥ 4 weeks) (n=33) (A) and unresolved long COVID symptoms one-year post-infection (n=17) (B) reported on the one-year survey Conclusion. Half of the adults in our cohort reported long COVID symptoms, with more than quarter of symptoms persisting one-year post-illness. Our findings support that prolonged symptoms up to year after SARS-CoV-2 exposure occur, and future studies should investigate the residual impacts of long COVID symptoms and conditions.
ABSTRACT
Background. In December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were made available to healthcare workers and soon thereafter offered to the general public according to age and risk of severe illness. Despite widespread access, vaccination rates vary by region, with Tennessee ranking lower than the national average. Therefore, we aimed to survey adults in greater Nashville, TN regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccine perceptions. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study of an ongoing longitudinal cohort of individuals with confirmed and/or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection and their household contacts with enrollment onset in March 2020. For this analysis, individuals were included if they were ≥ 18 years and available for a one-year follow-up visit. At the one-year visit individuals completed a survey about vaccine preferences, beliefs and risks. Demographic and social characteristics were collected at enrollment. Individuals were considered vaccinated if they had received at least one dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine under FDA emergency use authorization. Vaccine perceptions were compared by SARS-CoV-2-infection and vaccination status using Pearson's chi-squared, alpha=5%. Results. Between April-May 2021, 115 individuals completed the one-year follow-up. Table 1 includes sociodemographic characteristics of adults, of which the majority were vaccinated and were unemployed or in non-essential occupations. Most individuals agreed the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine can prevent infection and hospitalization (Figure 1A & B). Unvaccinated participants more often agreed that those who contracted SARS-CoV-2 should not receive the vaccine (30%), whereas vaccinated persons less often agreed (11%, p< 0.001) (Figure 1A). Additionally, 44% of unvaccinated individuals were neutral or disagreed that benefits of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination outweighed the illness risk, compared to 10% in the vaccinated group, p=0.001 (Figure 1A). Minimal differences of vaccine perceptions were observed between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative adults (Figure 1B). Conclusion. Although some unvaccinated individuals seemingly perceived the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine offered some protection, research should continue to evaluate the implications of vaccine hesitancy on the COVID-19 pandemic response as we prepare for the upcoming respiratory season.
ABSTRACT
Background: One day after the pandemic was announced, Tennessee declared a state of emergency on March 12, 2020 with implementation of a stay-at-home order on March 23, 2020. Data regarding the routes and patterns of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are limited. We initiated an investigation after clusters of confirmed COVID-19 cases attended a large social gathering. Methods: We were notified of clinical providers who attended a “Silent School Auction” on March 7, 2020, of which several confirmed-cases were identified as targeted participants. To derive a standardized REDCap web-survey, we conducted a hypothesis-generating interview with three confirmed attendees to collect event details. Once finalized, enrollment included collecting sociodemographic, epidemiologic, and clinical data. Attendees were classified as: 1) confirmed if they had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test;2) suspected if they developed symptoms 21-days before or after the auction;and 3) asymptomatic if no symptoms were noted. Results: From March 20-June 16, 100/166 (60%) of attendees were enrolled, with a median age of 41 years, 54% female, and 99% white. Of those, 34 and 32 were confirmed- and suspect-cases, respectively. Table 1 compares sociodemographic behaviors of all attendees, with the majority of confirmed-cases eating late in the evening. From March 6 to March 8, 58 participants reported attending other social events, of which three (i.e., church service, women's retreat, and a birthday party) were common among 43 attendees and five individuals reported onset of mild respiratory symptoms prior to the event (Figure 1). Confirmed-cases were more likely to report having shortness of breath, chest tightness, loss of taste, loss of smell, and fever compared to suspect-cases (Figure 2) and no one required hospitalization. Dining tables from the school auction depicted a clustering of cases occurring at each table, with some individuals visiting more than one table during the event (Figure 3). Conclusion: We identified several COVID-19 cases from a single event that occurred prior to social mitigation strategies. Our investigation highlights the importance of staying home when sick and the significance of social distancing to halt transmission of COVID-19. (Table Presented).