Analysis of COVID-19 outbreaks in 3 long-term care facilities in Graz, Austria.
Am J Infect Control
; 49(11): 1350-1353, 2021 11.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1432731
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities (LTCF) caring for elderly and chronically ill residents are at high risk to experience severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks. We report an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 3 LTCFs of the Geriatric Health Centres of Graz, Austria lasting from March 22 to April 14, 2020.AIM:
The objectives of our study were (1) to elucidate contributing factors and transmission pathways of SARS-CoV-2, (2) to analyze symptoms of COVID-19 in the residents and health care workers.METHODS:
We carried out a retrospective outbreak analysis.FINDINGS:
Thirty-six of /277 residents of 3 LTCFs were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Only a quarter of COVID-19 cases among residents had fever ≥38.1°C and 19% suffered from cough. Six of 36 residents remained asymptomatic. Hospitalization rate was 58% in residents. Overall, 33% (12/36) residents infected with SARS-CoV-2 died. Nineteen of 214 health care workers were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Universal rt-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 of all residents and health care workers as well as infection control measures contributed to ending the outbreaks.CONCLUSIONS:
Delayed recognition of possible COVID-19 cases due to either mild symptoms or symptoms that were perceived as atypical early in the pandemic contributed to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in LTCFs. This emphasizes the importance of low-threshold testing in LTCF residents.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Long-Term Care
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Infect Control
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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