Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Sequencing for Understanding Transmission and School Outbreaks.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

An understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in schools is important. It is often difficult, using epidemiological information alone, to determine whether cases associated with schools represent multiple introductions from the community or transmission within the school. We describe the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in multiple schools to investigate outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in the pre-Omicron period.

Study design

School outbreaks were identified for sequencing by local public health units based on multiple cases without known epidemiological links. Cases of SARS-CoV-2 from students and staff from 4 school outbreaks in Ontario underwent WGS and phylogenetic analysis. The epidemiological clinical cohort data and

SUBMITTER: Campigotto A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9990487 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature