Viral Genomics to Inform Infection-control Response in Occupational Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Transmission

Naomi C A Whyler; Norelle L Sherry; Courtney R Lane; Torsten Seemann; Patiyan Andersson; Michelle Sait; Maryza Graham; Tony M Korman; Benjamin P Howden; Rhonda L Stuart

doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa1385

Viral Genomics to Inform Infection-control Response in Occupational Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Transmission

Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 5;73(7):e1881-e1884. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1385.

Authors

Naomi C A Whyler¹, Norelle L Sherry², Courtney R Lane², Torsten Seemann², Patiyan Andersson², Michelle Sait², Maryza Graham^{1

2

3}, Tony M Korman^{1

4

3}, Benjamin P Howden², Rhonda L Stuart^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Microbiology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Center for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

Healthcare workers are at increased risk of occupational transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We report 2 instances of healthcare workers contracting SARS-CoV-2 despite no known breach of personal protective equipment. Additional specific equipment cleaning was initiated. Viral genomic sequencing supported this transmission hypothesis and our subsequent response.

Keywords: COVID-19; genomics; occupational; transmission.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Genomics
Humans
Infection Control
Personal Protective Equipment
SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding