Outbreak or pseudo-outbreak? Integrating SARS-CoV-2 sequencing to validate infection control practices in a dialysis facility.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a particularly high risk for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients so rapid identification of case clusters in ESRD facilities is essential. Nevertheless, with high community prevalence, a series of ESRD patients may test positive contemporaneously for reasons unrelated to their shared ESRD facility. Here we describe a series of 5 cases detected within 11 days in November 2020 in a hospital-based 32-station ESRD facility in Southwest Wisconsin, the subsequent facility-wide testing, and the use of genetic sequence analysis to evaluate links between cases.

Methods

Four patient cases and one staff case were identified in symptomatic individuals by RT-PCR. Facility-wide screening was conducted using rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests. SARS-Co

SUBMITTER: Pfaff BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8349402 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature