ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To further explore the interpersonal transmission channels of SARS-CoV-2 through an epidemiological survey of one confirmed case of COVID-19 and six close family members and description of major clinical characteristics of 3 confirmed cases so as to provide theoretical basis for prevention and control of cluster outbreaks of the epidemic. METHODS: The surveys of individual case and clustered epidemic were conducted for 1 confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, the forms were made by using Excel 2003, the data were entered, and the statistical description was performed by using SPPS software. RESULTS: During the family cluster outbreak, there were 4 persons who were infected and 3 persons who were not infected. 2 elderly patients had chronic underlying diseases. 3 cases had gastrointestinal symptoms which were the initial symptoms, 2 of whom had diarrhea, and 1 had nausea;2 cases had respiratory symptoms;3 cases had fever. The incubation periods of 3 cases were short, with an average period 5 days;the incubation period of 1 case was 20 days. The average interval between onset and consultation was 12.5 days;the average length of hospital stay was more than 14 days. The nasal and throat swab samples of all the patients were positive for nucleic acid tests, the stool samples of 2 cases were positive for the nucleic acid test. The average age of 3 close-contact persons without infection was 16 years old, 2 of whom were children. CONCLUSION: During the family cluster outbreak, the infection rate was 50% under the same exposure factor, and it is further confirmed that the elderly people are the population at high risk of infection. SARS-CoV-2 enters the human body and lead to infection through stool or inhaled aerosols. Adding the nucleic acid tests of stool and anal swab samples as one of the criteria for screening, release from quarantine and discharge should be taken into considerations.