Journal of Acute Disease (Jan 2021)

Dynamics of transmission of COVID-19 cases and household contacts: A prospective cohort study

  • Priyanka Rajmohan,
  • Ponnu Jose,
  • Jubina Bency Anthoora Thodi,
  • Joe Thomas,
  • Lucy Raphael,
  • Swathi Krishna,
  • Unnikrishnan Uttumadathil Gopinathan,
  • Praveenlal Kuttichira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/2221-6189.321590
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 4
pp. 162 – 168

Abstract

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Objective: To study the transmission dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among 101 confirmed cases and their 387 household contacts and to determine risk factors associated with secondary attack among the household contacts. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 1st 2021 to February 28th 2021, among 101 SARS-CoV-2 cases and 387 household contacts who were followed up for 14 days from the last day of contact with the index case of COVID-19. The dynamics of disease transmission was estimated, and factors affecting transmission risk were analyzed. Besides, the association between various factors and household secondary attack rate was determined. Results: The median incubation period was found to be 5 days, and the observed reproductive number (R) was found to be 1.63 (95% CI: 1.28-1.98). The mean household secondary attack rate was 40.7%. Contacts with comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism had significantly higher attack rates (P<0.05). Conclusions: As new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerges, it is crucial to know the trasmission dynamics. This study shows a high secondary attack rate of COVID-19 among household contacts that must be closely monitored.

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