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. 2020 Nov;106(3):621-625.
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.08.018. Epub 2020 Aug 22.

Nosocomial COVID-19: experience from a large acute NHS Trust in South-West London

J Taylor  1 , J Rangaiah  2 , S Narasimhan  2 , J Clark  2 , Z Alexander  2 , R Manuel  3 , S Balasegaram  4
Affiliations

Nosocomial COVID-19: experience from a large acute NHS Trust in South-West London

J Taylor et al. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare settings has significant implications for patients and healthcare workers, may amplify local outbreaks, and may place additional burden on already stretched resources. Risk of missed or late diagnosis of COVID-19 was high during the UK's initial 'containment phase', because of strict criteria for testing. The risk remains due to asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic transmission, complicated by challenges faced with laboratory testing. We present a case study of potential nosocomial transmission associated with the first case of COVID-19 at a large acute NHS Trust in South-West London, and we describe the prevailing burden of nosocomial infections.

Keywords: COVID-19; Healthcare-associated infection; Infection control; Nosocomial transmission; Outbreak investigation; SARS-CoV-2.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Index case patient journey. ITU, intensive therapy unit; A&E, accident and emergency; CCU, coronary care unit; CPAP, continuous airway positive pressure; HCW, healthcare worker; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients by sample week and algorithm for classification of nosocomial and community-acquired cases (N = 505).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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