ABSTRACT
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is widespread globally. In China, COVID-19 has been well controlled and has appeared only in importation-related cases. Local epidemics occur sporadically in China and have been contained relatively quickly. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: Epidemiological investigation with genome sequence traceability analysis showed that the first case of COVID-19 in Nangong City acquired infection from a confirmed case from Shijiazhuang City; infection subsequently led to 76 local cases. All cases were associated with the index case, and most were located in Fenggong Street and did not spread outside of Nangong City. The main routes of transmission were family clusters, intra-unit transmission, and nosocomial transmission. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: This study highlights new techniques for rapidly tracing cases and identifying COVID-19 transmission chains. The different epidemiological characteristics in Nangong City, from the earliest stages of the outbreak, suggest that allocation of health sources for prevention and treatment were reasonable. Preventing transmission within medical institutions and isolation facilities and strengthening management in the community should be priorities for COVID-19 control during a city lockdown.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To understand the level and risk factor of lead exposure among children in one city of Jiangsu.@*Methods@#In northern Jiangsu Province, 373 children from 2 primary schools were enrolled and were tested for blood lead and heavy metal exposure. Lead exposure was tested in household dust of 46 children. A multivariate Logistic regression was used for lead exposure risk analysis. Spatial distribution of lead contamination in household dust was conducted and compared with the location of industrial enterprises.@*Results@#The geometric mean of blood lead in 373 children was 25.80 mg/L,the blood lead of 3 children (0.8%) was more than 100 mg/L. Pencil biting ( OR=4.26, 95%CI=1.61-10.68, P <0.05) and lead contamination in surrounding environment ( OR=2.93, 95%CI=1.24-7.34, P =0.02) was positively related to high blood lead level in children. The geometric mean household dust lead concentrations in 46 children was 302.27 μg/mg, and household with high dust lead levels were mainly located around manufacturing enterprises.@*Conclusion@#Environmental factors correlate with blood lead level in children. Efficient strategies and public health policies are urgently needed to control and prevent environmental lead pollution. Families and schools should actively carry out health education to engourage children good hygiene habits, and effectively reduce lead exposure.
