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Investigation and public health response to a COVID-19 outbreak in a rural resort community-Blaine County, Idaho, 2020
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 4, p e0250322 (2021), PLoS ONE
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2021.
-
Abstract
- Blaine County, Idaho, a rural area with a renowned resort, experienced a COVID-19 outbreak early in the pandemic. We undertook an epidemiologic investigation to describe the outbreak and guide public health action. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified from reports of SARS-CoV-2-positive laboratory test results to South Central Public Health District. Information on symptoms, hospitalization, recent travel, healthcare worker status, and close contacts was obtained by medical record review and patient interviews. Viral sequence analysis was conducted on a subset of available specimens. During March 13–April 10, 2020, a total of 451 COVID-19 cases among Blaine County residents (1,959 cases per 100,000 population) were reported, with earliest illness onset March 1. The median patient age was 51 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 37–63), 52 (11.5%) were hospitalized, and 5 (1.1%) died. The median duration between specimen collection and a positive laboratory result was 9 days (IQR: 4–10). Forty-four (9.8%) patients reported recent travel and an additional 37 cases occurred in out-of-state residents. Healthcare workers comprised 56 (12.4%) cases; 33 of whom worked at the only hospital in the county, leading to a 15-day disruption of hospital services. Among 562 close contacts monitored by public health authorities, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or compatible symptoms were identified in 51 (9.1%). Sequencing results from 34 specimens supported epidemiologic findings indicating travel as a source of SARS-CoV-2, and identified multiple lineages among hospital workers. Community mitigation strategies included school and resort closure, stay-at-home orders, and restrictions on incoming travelers. COVID-19 outbreaks in rural communities can disrupt health services. Lack of local laboratory capacity led to long turnaround times for COVID-19 test results. Rural communities frequented by tourists face unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing restrictions on incoming travelers and other mitigation strategies helped reduce COVID-19 transmission early in the pandemic.
- Subjects :
- Male
Rural Population
RNA viruses
Viral Diseases
Coronaviruses
Epidemiology
030501 epidemiology
Health Resorts
Geographical locations
Disease Outbreaks
Medical Conditions
0302 clinical medicine
Health care
Medicine and Health Sciences
Public and Occupational Health
Medical Personnel
030212 general & internal medicine
Pathology and laboratory medicine
Geographic Areas
Virus Testing
Travel
education.field_of_study
Multidisciplinary
Geography
Medical record
Middle Aged
Medical microbiology
Professions
Infectious Diseases
Specimen collection
Viruses
Medicine
Female
Public Health
SARS CoV 2
Pathogens
Travel-Related Illness
0305 other medical science
Research Article
Adult
medicine.medical_specialty
SARS coronavirus
Health Personnel
Idaho
Science
Population
Microbiology
03 medical and health sciences
Diagnostic Medicine
Environmental health
medicine
Humans
education
Pandemics
Biology and life sciences
SARS-CoV-2
business.industry
Public health
Organisms
Viral pathogens
COVID-19
Outbreak
Covid 19
United States
Rural Areas
Microbial pathogens
North America
Earth Sciences
Population Groupings
Contact Tracing
People and places
Rural area
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....527dc8e0ab8ffbf235b238331d376f36