ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is rapidly spreading both in India and across the world and healthcare workers are at increased risk of contracting this infection due to their constant exposure status. This study aims to assess the breakthrough infections among vaccinated health care workers in a tertiary care centre. A cross sectional study was conducted for a period of one year among vaccinated healthcare workers who turned positive two weeks post complete vaccination. 82 (4.73%) out of 1732 vaccinated healthcare workers (2 doses) developed breakthrough COVID-19 infection of which 70.7% were females and the mean age was 35.5 years. 52.4% (n=43) were doctors, 30.5% nurses (n=25) and 15.9% were allied health professionals. 67 (81.7%) had mild symptoms, 10 (12.19%) were asymptomatic, 5 (6.09%) were hospitalised with none requiring ventilator support. 43.1% of infections occurred 6-9 months post vaccination. 23.7% acquired infection from fellow healthcare workers, 12.2% from household contacts, 46.3% from patients/bystanders, and 18.2% were from unknown sources. Proper understanding and analysis of the breakthrough COVID-19 infections can help in taking appropriate infection control practices as well as improving the overall health status of healthcare workers during this pandemic.
ABSTRACT
As of 27 October 2020, there have been 57,980 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, with 28 fatalities. To summarise the Singapore experience in managing and containing COVID-19 based on available published data and from relevant sources, a review of literature using research databases such as PubMed and OVID Medline, along with non-peer-reviewed articles and other sources, was conducted with the search terms 'COVID-19' and 'Singapore'. Research conducted in Singapore has provided insight into the clinical manifestations and period of infectivity of COVID-19, demonstrated evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission, linked infection clusters using serological tools, and highlighted aspects of hospital-based environmental contamination. It has also provided guidance for diagnostic testing and has described immune and virologic correlates with disease severity. Evidence of effectiveness of containment measures such as early border control, rigorous contact training, and calibrated social distancing measures have also been demonstrated. Singapore's multipronged strategy has been largely successful at containing COVID-19 and minimising fatalities, but the risk of re-emergence is high.