Aggarwal, Dinesh; Warne, Ben; Jahun, Aminu S; Hamilton, William L; Fieldman, Thomas; du Plessis, Louis; Hill, Verity; Blane, Beth; Watkins, Emmeline; Wright, Elizabeth; +33 more... Hall, Grant; Ludden, Catherine; Myers, Richard; Hosmillo, Myra; Chaudhry, Yasmin; Pinckert, Malte L; Georgana, Iliana; Izuagbe, Rhys; Leek, Danielle; Nsonwu, Olisaeloka; Hughes, Gareth J; Packer, Simon; Page, Andrew J; Metaxaki, Marina; Fuller, Stewart; Weale, Gillian; Holgate, Jon; Brown, Christopher A; Cambridge Covid-19 testing Centre; University of Cambridge Asymptomatic COVID-19 Screening Programm; COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium; Howes, Rob; McFarlane, Duncan; Dougan, Gordon; Pybus, Oliver G; Angelis, Daniela De; Maxwell, Patrick H; Peacock, Sharon J; Weekes, Michael P; Illingworth, Chris; Harrison, Ewan M; Matheson, Nicholas J; Goodfellow, Ian G; (2022) Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission. Nature Communications, 13 (1). 751-. ISSN 2041-1723 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27942-w
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Abstract
Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.
Item Type | Article |
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Research Centre | Covid-19 Research |
PubMed ID | 35136068 |
Elements ID | 176311 |
Official URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27942-w |
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Filename: Aggarwal_etal_2022_Genomic-epidemiology-of-sars-cov.pdf
Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0
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