COVID-19 Outbreak Among a University's Men's and Women's Soccer Teams - Chicago, Illinois, July-August 2020

Abstract

Data on transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), among college athletes are limited. In August 2020, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified of a cluster of COVID-19 cases among a university's men's and women's soccer teams. CDPH initiated an investigation, interviewed members of both teams, and collated laboratory data to understand transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within the teams. Numerous social gatherings with limited mask use or social distancing preceded the outbreak. Transmission resulted in 17 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases across both teams (n = 45), likely from a single source introduction of SARS-CoV-2 (based on whole genome sequencing) and subsequent transmission during multiple gatherings. Colleges and universities are at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks because of shared housing and social gatherings where recommended prevention guidance is not followed. Improved strategies to promote mask use and social distancing among college-aged adults need to be implemented, as well as periodic repeat testing to identify asymptomatic infections and prevent outbreaks among groups at increased risk for infection because of frequent exposure to close contacts in congregate settings on and off campus.

FIGURE

COVID-19 cases (n = 17) among a university’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, by specimen collection date and significant events — Chicago, Illinois, July–August 2020 Abbreviations: CDPH = Chicago Department of Public Health; COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019. * On day 24, university staff members decided to begin periodic testing of all players on the men’s and women’s soccer teams to identify asymptomatic students with COVID-19 and control the outbreak. Periodic testing was performed on days 26, 29, and 33. ^† A more comprehensive timeline of events is available at https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/95822.