Transmission Dynamics of Sars-CoV-2 during an Outbreak in a Roma Community in Thessaly, Greece—Control Measures and Lessons Learned

Bibliographic Data

ID15500727
AuthorsMichalis Koureas (0000-0003-0289-6595, University of Thessaly), Matthaios Speletas (0000-0003-1287-7734, University of Thessaly), Zacharoula Bogogiannidou (University of Thessaly), Dimitris Babalis (University Hospital of Larissa), Vassilios Pinakas (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece), Ουρανία Πινακά (0000-0003-0758-0936, University of Thessaly), Ourania Pinaka (University of Thessaly), A Komnos (0000-0002-7225-3213, University Hospital of Larissa), Stella Tsoutsa (University Hospital of Larissa), Georgia Papadamou (0000-0003-0501-4340, University Hospital of Larissa), Maria Kyritsi (0000-0002-4689-4623, University of Thessaly), Alexandros Vontas (0000-0001-5424-0235, University of Thessaly), Vasileios Nakoulas (University of Thessaly), Spyros Sapounas (0000-0002-1122-9148, National Public Health Organization), Nikolaos Kanellopoulos (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece), Dimitrios Kalompatsios (0000-0002-8751-2468, University of Thessaly), Vassiliki Papadouli (Ministry of Health), Katerina Dadouli (0000-0002-8821-0795, University of Thessaly), Soteris Soteriades (0000-0002-7369-6323, University of Thessaly), Paraskevi Mina (University of Thessaly), Varvara Α Mouchtouri (0000-0002-2535-3596, University of Thessaly), Lemonia Anagnostopoulos (0000-0002-0654-1620, University of Thessaly), Kostantinos A Stamoulis (0000-0003-2688-4695), Kostantinos Stamoulis (Hellenic National Blood Transfusion Center, 13677 Athens, Greece), Kostantinos Agorastos (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece), Efthimia Petinaki (University of Thessaly), Panagiotis Prezerakos (University of Peloponnese), Sotirios Tsiodras (0000-0002-0463-4321, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Christos Hadjichristodoulou (0000-0002-4769-8376, University of Thessaly, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue6
Pages2878-2878
Publication date2021-03-11
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18062878
PMID33799791
OpenAlexW3135610950
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited18

A COVID-19 outbreak occurred among residents of a Roma settlement in Greece (8 April-4 June 2020). The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures implemented. Data were analyzed from individuals that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 during contact tracing, population screening or hospital visits. RT-PCR was used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in oropharyngeal samples. Risk factors for household secondary attack rates (SAR) and hospitalization with COVID-19 were examined using chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression analyses. During the outbreak, 142 cases, 20 hospitalizations and 1 death were recorded, with a total of 2273 individuals tested. The risk of hospitalization was associated with age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07) and Cycle threshold (Ct) values (OR for a decrease in Ct values by 1: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31). Household SAR was estimated at 38.62% (95% CI: 32.50-45.01%). After the designation of an isolation facility for cases, household SAR declined from 74.42% to 31.03%. Household size was associated with the risk of infection (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.00-7.07). The presence of COVID-19 symptoms among index cases was correlated with higher transmission (OR: 23.68, 95% CI 2.21-253.74) in multivariate analysis, while age was found to be associated with SAR only in univariate analysis. Roma communities can be particularly vulnerable to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In similar settings, symptomatic cases are more important transmitters of SARS-CoV-2. Within these communities, immediate measures should be implemented to mitigate disease spread

Biology · Contact tracing · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Environmental health · Index case · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Isolation (microbiology · Logistic regression · Outbreak · Population · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Transmission (telecommunications · COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies · Demography · Dermatological and COVID-19 studies · Genital Health and Disease · Medicine · Internal Medicine · Virology

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