Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Aggarwal, Dinesh
• Warne, Ben
• Jahun, Aminu S
• Hamilton, William L
• Fieldman, Thomas
• du Plessis, Louis
• Hill, Verity
• Blane, Beth
• Watkins, Emmeline
• Wright, Elizabeth
• 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
• 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

Titel

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

Ist Teil von

• Nature communications, 2022-02, Vol.13 (1), p.751-16, Article 751

Ort / Verlag

England: Nature Publishing Group

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Quelle

Open access e-journals list

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• 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.