COVID-19 outbreak among physicians at a Canadian curling bonspiel: a descriptive observational study

Investigation of an international water polo tournament in Czechia as a potential source for early introduction of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant into Belgium, Switzerland and Germany, November 2021

BackgroundThe earliest recognised infections by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (Pango lineage B.1.1.529) in Belgium and Switzerland suggested a connection to an international water polo tournament, held 12-14 November 2021 in Brno, Czechia.AimTo study the arrival and subsequent spread of the Omicron variant in Belgium and Switzerland, and understand the overall importance of this international sporting event on the number of infections in the two countries.MethodsWe performed intensive forward and backward contact tracing in both countries, supplemented by phylogenetic investigations using virus sequences of the suspected infection chain archived in public databases.ResultsThrough contact tracing, we identified two and one infected athletes of the Belgian and Swiss water polo teams, respectively, and subsequently also three athletes from Germany. In Belgium and Switzerland, four and three secondary infections, and three and one confirmed tertiary infections were identified. Phylogenetic investigation demonstrated that this sporting event played a role as the source of infection, but without a direct link with infections from South Africa and not as a superspreading event; the virus was found to already be circulating at that time in the countries involved.ConclusionThe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant started to circulate in Europe several weeks before its identification in South Africa on 24 November 2021. Accordingly, it can be assumed that travel restrictions are usually implemented too late to prevent the spread of newly detected SARS-CoV-2 variants to other regions. Phylogenetic analysis may modify the perception of an apparently clear result of intensive contact tracing.

Assessment of COVID-19 barrier effectiveness using process safety techniques

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a respiratory illness called the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Bow tie analysis (BTA) was applied to analyze the hazard of SARS-CoV-2 for three receptor groups: patient or family member at the IWK Health Centre in acute care, staff member at a British Columbia Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) wood pellet facility, and staff member at the Suncor refinery in Sarnia, Ontario. An inherently safer design (ISD) protocol for BTA was used as a guide for evaluating COVID-19 barriers, and additional COVID-19 controls were recommended. Two communication tools were developed from the IWK bow tie diagram to disseminate the research findings. This research provides lessons learned about the barriers implemented to protect people from contracting COVID-19, and about the use of bow tie diagrams as communication tools. This research has also developed additional example-based guidance that can be used for the COVID-19 pandemic or future respiratory illness pandemics. Recommended future work is the application of BTA to additional industries, the consideration of ISD principles in other control types in the hierarchy of controls (HOC), and further consideration of human and organizational factors (HOF) in BTA.

SARS-CoV-2 transmission during an indoor professional sporting event

Sporting events with spectators can present a risk during the COVID-19 pandemic of becoming potential superspreader events that can result in mass-infection amongst participants-both sportspeople and spectators alike. In order to prevent disease transmission, many professional sporting bodies have implemented detailed hygiene regulations. This report analyzes SARS-CoV-2 transmission during a professional sports event (2nd division professional basketball in Germany). Whilst social distancing in this context is not always possible, the rate of infection was significantly reduced by wearing face masks that cover the mouth and nose. There was no infection amongst individuals who continuously wore medical particle filter masks (Category KN95/FFP2 or higher) during this sporting event.