ABSTRACT
Introduction: Over the last two years, the COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCW), particular those working in hospitals have been the most affected from increased risk of contracting COVID-19 from hospital environment and patient care. Although various efforts have been taken by the hospital to reduce the risk, however, outbreaks still continue to occur. This case study reports on an outbreak investigation using computation flow analysis to investigate an outbreak in a non-COVID-19 ward. Material and Methods: This is a case report of an outbreak that occurs in a non-COVID-19 ward in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. The outbreak investigation was conducted, which includes contact tracing, risk assessment, walk-through survey, airflow measurements and computational flow analysis (CFA). Results: The outbreak occurred in one of the five bedded cubicles in a non-COVID-19 ward. The index case was a patient that was admitted for non-COVID-19 related medical conditions. The index case subsequently transmitted the disease to three patients and one HCW. On initial assessment, the HCW was not considered to have acquired COVID-19 from the index case, as the HCW have no unprotected contact with the index case. However, after the walk-through survey assessment, it was noted that airflow may be a contributing factor. An airflow measurement and CFA was conducted and reviewed the possibility route of transmission. Conclusion: The use of airflow assessment and CFA should be considered in a respiratory diseases outbreak investigation.