Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town
Abstract Understanding transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in institutions of higher education (IHEs) is important because these settings have potential for rapid viral spread. Here, we used genomic surveillance to retrospectively investigate transmission dynamics throughout the 2020–2021 academic y...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2023-05-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34625-7 |
| _version_ | 1797795802394918912 |
|---|---|
| author | Kimberly R. Andrews Daniel D. New Digpal S. Gour Kane Francetich Scott A. Minnich Barrie D. Robison Carolyn J. Hovde |
| author_facet | Kimberly R. Andrews Daniel D. New Digpal S. Gour Kane Francetich Scott A. Minnich Barrie D. Robison Carolyn J. Hovde |
| author_sort | Kimberly R. Andrews |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Understanding transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in institutions of higher education (IHEs) is important because these settings have potential for rapid viral spread. Here, we used genomic surveillance to retrospectively investigate transmission dynamics throughout the 2020–2021 academic year for the University of Idaho (“University”), a mid-sized IHE in a small rural town. We generated genome assemblies for 1168 SARS-CoV-2 samples collected during the academic year, representing 46.8% of positive samples collected from the University population and 49.8% of positive samples collected from the surrounding community (“Community”) at the local hospital during this time. Transmission dynamics differed for the University when compared to the Community, with more infection waves that lasted shorter lengths of time, potentially resulting from high-transmission congregate settings along with mitigation efforts implemented by the University to combat outbreaks. We found evidence for low transmission rates between the University and Community, with approximately 8% of transmissions into the Community originating from the University, and approximately 6% of transmissions into the University originating from the Community. Potential transmission risk factors identified for the University included congregate settings such as sorority and fraternity events and residences, holiday travel, and high caseloads in the surrounding community. Knowledge of these risk factors can help the University and other IHEs develop effective mitigation measures for SARS-CoV-2 and similar pathogens. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:23:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bef49ace75fd417a80b3534f9e7bfc6e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:23:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-bef49ace75fd417a80b3534f9e7bfc6e2023-06-25T11:13:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-05-0113111510.1038/s41598-023-34625-7Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural townKimberly R. Andrews0Daniel D. New1Digpal S. Gour2Kane Francetich3Scott A. Minnich4Barrie D. Robison5Carolyn J. Hovde6Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of IdahoInstitute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of IdahoInstitute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of IdahoGritman Medical CenterDepartment of Animal, Veterinary and Food Science, University of IdahoInstitute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of IdahoDepartment of Animal, Veterinary and Food Science, University of IdahoAbstract Understanding transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in institutions of higher education (IHEs) is important because these settings have potential for rapid viral spread. Here, we used genomic surveillance to retrospectively investigate transmission dynamics throughout the 2020–2021 academic year for the University of Idaho (“University”), a mid-sized IHE in a small rural town. We generated genome assemblies for 1168 SARS-CoV-2 samples collected during the academic year, representing 46.8% of positive samples collected from the University population and 49.8% of positive samples collected from the surrounding community (“Community”) at the local hospital during this time. Transmission dynamics differed for the University when compared to the Community, with more infection waves that lasted shorter lengths of time, potentially resulting from high-transmission congregate settings along with mitigation efforts implemented by the University to combat outbreaks. We found evidence for low transmission rates between the University and Community, with approximately 8% of transmissions into the Community originating from the University, and approximately 6% of transmissions into the University originating from the Community. Potential transmission risk factors identified for the University included congregate settings such as sorority and fraternity events and residences, holiday travel, and high caseloads in the surrounding community. Knowledge of these risk factors can help the University and other IHEs develop effective mitigation measures for SARS-CoV-2 and similar pathogens.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34625-7 |
| spellingShingle | Kimberly R. Andrews Daniel D. New Digpal S. Gour Kane Francetich Scott A. Minnich Barrie D. Robison Carolyn J. Hovde Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town Scientific Reports |
| title | Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town |
| title_full | Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town |
| title_fullStr | Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town |
| title_short | Genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission at a mid-sized university in a small rural town |
| title_sort | genomic surveillance identifies potential risk factors for sars cov 2 transmission at a mid sized university in a small rural town |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34625-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kimberlyrandrews genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown AT danieldnew genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown AT digpalsgour genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown AT kanefrancetich genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown AT scottaminnich genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown AT barriedrobison genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown AT carolynjhovde genomicsurveillanceidentifiespotentialriskfactorsforsarscov2transmissionatamidsizeduniversityinasmallruraltown |