Sequencing identified additional clusters and confirmed independent introduction from outside the college community.
Control of COVID-19 on college campuses presents a special challenge, given the shared living spaces and social dynamics. Contact tracing has been used to identify outbreak clusters and isolate infected persons, thereby limiting spread. From August 2020 through April 2021, the University of Pittsburgh performed SARS-CoV-2 testing on symptomatic students, their contacts, and a random sample of asymptomatic persons. Samples with Ct values <33 were tested with whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify genetically related clusters.
Overall, 1357 students tested positive during 3 separate waves likely reflecting return to campus following breaks; WGS was performed on 308 samples. Contact tracing identified 46% of transmission links. Using WGS, cl…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)
RoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris
Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases
Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)
RoyaltiesUpToDate
Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris
Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases
Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)