An investigation of COVID-19 outbreak and a study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in the operating theater of a tertiary hospital in Pattani Province, Thailand, October 2021
Keywords:
COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare workers, operating theater, vaccine effectivenessAbstract
Background: A COVID-19 outbreak occurred in the operating theater of a tertiary hospital in September–October 2021. Almost all cases were fully vaccinated. We investigated to describe epidemiological characteristics, identify possible risk factors, evaluate the vaccine effectiveness, and provide recommendations.
Methods: We performed a descriptive study among healthcare workers and patients who visited the operating theater. The case was defined as any person who worked in the operating theater with positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 from 7 September–11 November 2021 or any patient who visited the operating theater during 7 September–9 October 2021 who had a negative preoperative test and a positive RT–PCR for SARS-CoV-2 within 3–14 days after the date of surgery. We reviewed medical records and genome sequencing results. We interviewed cases and related health personnel. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify risk factors of COVID-19 infection and evaluate vaccine effectiveness. The common touchpoint surfaces were tested with RT-PCR and a walk-through survey was done.
Results: There were forty-two confirmed cases (attack rate 27.5%), and no severe case. Male to female ratio was 1 : 2.8. The median age was 38 years old (IQR 34–47). Personnel who worked in the operating theater had the highest attack rate (38.7%). Approximately 88.1% of cases were fully vaccinated. About 73.8% were contacts of infected personnel. Delta variant was detected. Being a nurse aide was a significant risk factor (aOR 3.60 [1.2–10.3]). Vaccine effectiveness in those fully vaccinated was 30.8%, and 33.2% against being symptomatic, and pneumonia, respectively.
Conclusion: This rapid outbreak was caused by the Delta variant. The main risk of infection was being in close contact with infected coworkers. The vaccine effectiveness among high–risk contacts was relatively low. The facilities, personal measures, quarantine, and screening protocol for personnel and patients should be adjusted according to the outbreak context in the community.
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