Investigation of A Public Hospital Cluster of COVID-19 Case in Nongruea District, Khonkaen Province

Abstract

A cluster of 8 COVID-19 cases in the pharmaceutical and consumer protection division was reported to the Division of Communicable Disease Control, Primary and Holistic Care Department, Nongruea Hospital. After the first confirmed case was detected on February 7, 2023, an outbreak investigation was conducted during February 7-12, 2023 in order to confirm the outbreak and diagnosis of COVID-19, study epidemiological characteristics, and implement appropriate outbreak control measures. Descriptive epidemiological study was conducted by chart review, interviewing healthcare workers, evaluating the environmental factors of the male pharmaceutical and consumer protection division, and taking nasopharyngeal swabs (NP swab) for confirmatory COVID-19 Rapid Ag test. The first confirmed case was a 39-year old male. Based on the outbreak investigation and active case finding, 21 high-risk contacts were identified. Of these 21 high-risk contacts, 21 were healthcare workers. A total of 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections were detected i.e. 4 pharmacist (19.05%) and 3 pharmaceutical assistant (14.29%). The attack rate was 33%. This outbreak was caused by propagated sources. Nevertheless, the source of this outbreak could not be determined. Prior to the outbreak, according to hospital rules, all admitted patients had tested negative by RT-PCR. However, it was found that healthcare workers had failed to adhere to the universal masking requirements. The points of weakness were lack of robust preventive and infection control measures, as well as a limitation of screening tests for patients who may have COVID-19 related illnesses. To prevent future outbreaks, Additionally, they should also improve the environments in the pharmaceutical and consumer protection division and emphasize the importance of wearing appropriate PPE to healthcare workers. As healthcare workers were considered high-risk groups, they should be encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccination.