Super-spreaders during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: The dissemination of infectious agents in a population can occur both in a homogeneous or heterogeneous way. SARS-CoV-2 has heterogeneous transmission by superspreaders (SS) (people with certain characteristics that transmit the infection to 80% of the exposed population). Objective: To describe the characteristics of SS in the first cases of COVID-19 in Cartagena, Colombia. Methodology: Epidemiological surveillance study carried out in Cartagena from February 25 to April 20, 2020, by the infection committee of Clínica Gestión Salud and the administrative department of health, on suspected cases, confirmed by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2, and close contacts of those confirmed cases for coronavirus infection. Results: In 30 days, two SS patients were confirmed, 21 secondary cases (10 and 11, each one), and two tertiary cases. The 1st SS began symptoms 48 hours after exposure, he was hospitalized on the 7th day after symptoms began and died 72 hours after hospitalization. The 2nd SS hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis, with subsequent finding of anosmia and dysgeusia, remained in the ICU one month. Of the secondary cases, 9.5% (2/21) were hospitalized in the ICU, 47% (10/21) in the general ward and 42% (9/21) were quarantined. Sixty one percent (14/23) of those infected were from health personnel. Conclusions: SS are important in the dynamics of transmission infectious diseases. Failure to identify or misdiagnosis a patient with COVID-19, together with hospital transfer, are the main causes of the generation of a disproportionate number of secondary cases.

Keywords

• communicable period
• coronavirus infections
• pandemics
• social isolation