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. 2024 Mar 28;12(4):686.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12040686.

Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Rural Community Hospital during Omicron Predominance

Amar Krishna  1 , Julie Tutt  1 , Mehr Grewal  1 , Sheila Bragdon  1 , Suzanne Moreshead  2
Affiliations

Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Rural Community Hospital during Omicron Predominance

Amar Krishna et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has increased since the discovery of the Omicron variant. We describe a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the medicine-surgery unit of a rural community hospital at the time of high community transmission of Omicron variant in our county. The outbreak occurred in the medicine-surgery unit of an 89-bed rural community hospital in northern Maine. The characteristics of the patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the outbreak are described. Patient and HCW data collected as part of the outbreak investigation were used in this report. The outbreak control measures implemented are also described. A total of 24 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 including 11 patients and 13 HCWs. A total of 12 of the 24 (50%) persons were symptomatic, and rhinorrhea was the most common symptom noted (8/12, 67%). None of the symptomatic persons had gastrointestinal symptoms or symptoms of a loss of sense of smell or taste. All HCWs were vaccinated and 8 of the 11 patients were vaccinated. Outbreak control measures in the affected unit included implementation of full PPE (N95 respirators, eye protection, gowns and gloves) during all patient care, serial testing of employees and patients in the affected unit, cohorting positive patients, closing visitation and thorough environmental cleaning including use of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection. This outbreak exemplifies the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The outbreak occurred despite a well-established infection control program. We noted that serial testing, use of N95 respirators during all patient care and UV disinfection were some of the measures that could be successful in outbreak control.

Keywords: Omicron; coronavirus disease 2019; healthcare-associated infection; hospital outbreak; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; ultraviolet light disinfection.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage positivity of SARS-CoV-2 tests in Aroostook County, Maine, during April–May 2022. The top graph shows that in late April, the test positivity was >15% in the county. Downloaded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Data Tracker.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Epidemic curve of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and staff along with the date of implementation of the various control measures during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the medicine–surgery unit.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graph indicating the number of patients and HCWs with various symptoms of SARS-CoV2 infection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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