Investigation of The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak Cases from Entertainment Venues in Chumphon Province During 4 April to 6 May 2021

Abstract

          On March 4, 2021, the disease investigation team, Chumphon Provincial Public Health Office be notified by the situational awareness team. That there are 2 patients infected with the corona virus 2019 admitted to Chumphon Khet Udomsak Hospital. The situational awareness team of Chumphon Provincial Public Health Office Epidemiology Officer, Paknam Lang Suan Hospital and Chumphon Khet Udomsak Hospital were conduct a disease investigation and control. This study was a descriptive epidemiology study and an unmatched case control study using a 1:2 ratio between patients and controls by in-depth interview and patient information from medical records. Using descriptive and inferential statistics to data analysis and using statistical packaged programs.
          Patient with symptoms that match the definition of COVID-19 were found in Index cases. History of traveling to entertainment venues in Bangkok, among the reported cases of COVID-19 and those with a history of being exposed to index case (high risk contact) in Chumphon Province, 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases related to the index case were found during April 4 to May 6, 2021. There is an epidemic form of propagated source outbreak. SARS-CoV-2 strain testing found compatibility with Alpha (B1.1.7) strains. All patients are of Thai nationality, The median age was 38 years (Min =6, Max=67). Occupation in the group of government officer, employees of companies and department stores (75.00%). Found only 37.50% of patients with symptoms, with symptoms and symptoms such as aches, headaches, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, fever, no nose smell, tongue no taste, and no patients’ deaths. From the search for close contacts of both Index cases, it was found that 2,319 close contacts of the Index cases were divided into 151 high-risk contacts (6.51%) and 2,168 low-risk contacts (93.49%), representing an attack rate of 0.68%. The results of statistical analysis of Odds Ratio revealed that gender, age group and occupation factors (OR = 1.46,2.33 and 1.36 respectively), there was no statistically significant relationship with SARS-CoV-2 infection (p-value >0.05).
          The conclusion of this investigation, the source of this outbreak may be from two Index cases patients with a history of traveling to entertainment venues in Bangkok. Another 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases related to the index case were found. Risk factors for location and environment included homes, entertainment venues, restaurants and snooker club. Behavioral risk factors are not wearing a mask, dining together and touching things together. It is advisable for everyone to follow universal precautions as the ultimate protection against personal diseases everywhere, at all times, and establishments should strictly implement covid free setting measures, safety measures for food or beverage outlets.