Genomic epidemiology of COVID-19 in care homes in the east of England
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Peer-reviewed
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Abstract
COVID-19 poses a major challenge to care homes, as SARS-CoV-2 is readily transmitted and causes disproportionately severe disease in older people. Here, 1167 residents from 337 care homes were identified from a dataset of 6600 COVID-19 cases from the East of England. Older age and being a care home resident were associated with increased mortality. SARS-CoV-2 genomes were available for 700 residents from 292 care homes. By integrating genomic and temporal data, 409 viral clusters within the 292 homes were identified, indicating two different patterns – outbreaks among care home residents and independent introductions with limited onward transmission. Approximately 70% of residents in the genomic analysis were admitted to hospital during the study, providing extensive opportunities for transmission between care homes and hospitals. Limiting viral transmission within care homes should be a key target for infection control to reduce COVID-19 mortality in this population.
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Funder: National Institute for Health Research; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272
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National Institute for Health Research (COG-UK MC-PC-19027)
Wellcome Trust (COG-UK MC-PC-19027)
Wellcome Trust (Senior Fellowship 097997/Z/11/Z)
Academy of Medical Sciences (Clinician Scientist Fellowship)
Health Foundation (Clinician Scientist Fellowship)
Wellcome Trust (Collabrative grant 204870/Z/16/Z)