Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a university outbreak setting and implications for public health planning.

ABSTRACT: Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 has occurred at an unprecedented scale, and can be exploited for characterising outbreak risks at the fine-scale needed to inform control strategies. One setting at continued risk of COVID-19 outbreaks are higher education institutions, associated with student movements at the start of term, close living conditions within residential halls, and high social contact rates. Here we analysed SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences in combination with epidemiological data to investigate a large cluster of student cases associated with University of Glasgow accommodation in autumn 2020, Scotland. We identified 519 student cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with this large cluster through contact tracing data, with 30% sequencing coverage for further analysis

SUBMITTER: Nickbakhsh S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9296497 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature