scholarly journals A New System for Surveillance and Digital Contact Tracing for COVID-19: Spatiotemporal Reporting Over Network and GPS

10.2196/19457 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e19457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoxiong Wang ◽  
Shuizi Ding ◽  
Li Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Individual Privacy ◽  
Rapid Control ◽  
Sources Of Infection ◽  
Current Systems ◽  
Close Contacts

The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has highlighted the importance of rapid control of the transmission of infectious diseases. This is particularly important for COVID-19, where many individuals are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms but can still spread the disease. Current systems for controlling transmission rely on patients to report their symptoms to medical professionals and be able to recall and trace all their contacts from the previous few days. This is unrealistic in the modern world. However, existing smartphone-based GPS and social media technology may provide a suitable alternative. We, therefore, developed a mini-program within the app WeChat. This analyzes data from all users and traces close contacts of all patients. This permits early tracing and quarantine of potential sources of infection. Data from the mini-program can also be merged with other data to predict epidemic trends, calculate individual and population risks, and provide recommendations for individual and population protection action. It may also improve our understanding of how the disease spreads. However, there are a number of unresolved questions about the use of smartphone data for health surveillance, including how to protect individual privacy and provide safeguards against data breaches.

scholarly journals A New System for Surveillance and Digital Contact Tracing for COVID-19: Spatiotemporal Reporting Over Network and GPS (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoxiong Wang ◽  
Shuizi Ding ◽  
Li Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Individual Privacy ◽  
Rapid Control ◽  
Sources Of Infection ◽  
Current Systems ◽  
Close Contacts

UNSTRUCTURED The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has highlighted the importance of rapid control of the transmission of infectious diseases. This is particularly important for COVID-19, where many individuals are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms but can still spread the disease. Current systems for controlling transmission rely on patients to report their symptoms to medical professionals and be able to recall and trace all their contacts from the previous few days. This is unrealistic in the modern world. However, existing smartphone-based GPS and social media technology may provide a suitable alternative. We, therefore, developed a mini-program within the app WeChat. This analyzes data from all users and traces close contacts of all patients. This permits early tracing and quarantine of potential sources of infection. Data from the mini-program can also be merged with other data to predict epidemic trends, calculate individual and population risks, and provide recommendations for individual and population protection action. It may also improve our understanding of how the disease spreads. However, there are a number of unresolved questions about the use of smartphone data for health surveillance, including how to protect individual privacy and provide safeguards against data breaches.

scholarly journals Source and symptoms of COVID-19 among hospital workers in Milan

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 672-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Mandić-Rajčević ◽  
F Masci ◽  
E Crespi ◽  
S Franchetti ◽  
A Longo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Sources Of Infection ◽  
Close Contacts

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are commonly infected by SARS-CoV-2 and represent one of the most vulnerable groups. Adequate prevention strategies are necessary to guarantee HCWs’ safety, as well as to prevent dissemination of the infection among patients. Aims To describe a case series of SARS-CoV-2-positive HCWs in a large public healthcare organization in Milan (Italy) during the most devastating weeks of the epidemic and analyse the sources, symptoms and duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This study included 172 SARS-CoV-2-positive HCWs who were infected between the 25th of February and the 7th of April 2020. A nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and RT-PCR were used to indicate. Results Initially, the most common sources of infection were other positive HCWs (49%). Medical doctors and nursing assistants were most frequently infected, with infection rates of 53/1000 and 50/1000, respectively. COVID-19 departments were less affected than internal medicine, surgery, intensive care, or emergency room. The most commonly reported symptom was mild cough, while loss of smell (anosmia) and loss of taste (ageusia) were reported as moderate and severe by 30–40% of HCWs. The time necessary for 50% of workers to recover from the infection was 23 days, while it took 41 days for 95% of HCWs to become virus-free. Conclusions HCWs are commonly infected due to close contacts with other positive HCWs, and non-COVID departments were most affected. Most HCWs were asymptomatic or subclinical but contact tracing and testing of asymptomatic HCWs help identify and isolate infected workers.

scholarly journals The successful use of volunteers to enhance NHS Test and Trace contact tracing of in-patients with Covid-19: a Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Foster ◽  
Bing Jones ◽  
Ian Carey ◽  
Andzelika Duda ◽  
Abigail Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Student Volunteers ◽  
Sources Of Infection ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Close Contacts

AbstractContact tracing in the UK for Covid-19 is performed by NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT) via telephone or email. This study estimates how many patients who have been admitted to hospital are not reached by NHSTT and the number of their contacts who were not advised to self-isolate.Medical Student volunteers conducted face to face interviews with patients diagnosed with Covid-19 on an infectious diseases ward. Data on their close contacts were sent to NHSTT.20 cases were enrolled. 13(65%) did not engage with NHSTT, 4(20%) because they had no positive PCR, 9(45%) because of severity of illness, language or intellectual difficulties. 49 close contacts were identified of whom 33(67%) were from cases who had not engaged with NHSTT. “Backwards” contacts tracing information was collected from 11(55%) cases and 8(40%) gave detailed information.These data suggest that NHSTT fails to engage nearly two thirds of Covid-19 in-patients and fails to advise two thirds of their close contacts to self isolate.Volunteers used face to face interviews to overcome false negative tests, illness and communication problems to identify both close contacts and data on sources of infection.

scholarly journals Assessing testing strategies and duration of quarantine in contact tracing for SARS-CoV-2: a retrospective study of San Francisco’s COVID-19 contact tracing program, June- August, 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J A Reid ◽  
P Prado ◽  
H Brosnan ◽  
A Ernst ◽  
H Spindler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Close Contacts

Abstract We sought to assess the proportion of elicited close contacts diagnosed with COVID-19 at the start, and before exiting quarantine, in San Francisco, USA. From June 8th to August 31st, 6946 contacts were identified; 3008 (46.3%) tested, 940 (13.5%) tested positive; 90% tested positive in first 9 days of quarantine.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in a Rural Community: Outbreak Dynamics, Contact Tracing and Environmental RNA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel G. Fernández de Mera ◽  
Francisco J. Rodríguez del Río ◽  
José de la Fuente ◽  
Marta Pérez Sancho ◽  
Dolores Hervas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Community ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Rna Surveillance ◽  
Petrol Station ◽  
Early Testing ◽  
Resource Deployment ◽  
The Village ◽  
Close Contacts

Background: Since March 2020, Spain is severely hit by the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Understanding and disrupting the early transmission dynamics of the infection is crucial for impeding sustained transmission. Methods: We recorded all COVID-19 cases and traced their contacts in an isolated rural community. We also sampled 10 households, 6 public service sites and the wastewater from the village sewage for environmental SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Results: The first village patient diagnosed with COVID-19-compatible symptoms occurred on March 3, 2020, twelve days before lockdown. A peak of 39 cases occurred on March 30. By May 15, the accumulated number of symptomatic cases was 53 (6% of the population), of which only 22 (41%) had been tested and confirmed by RT-PCR as SARS-CoV-2 infected, including 16 hospitalized patients. Contacts (n=144) were six times more likely to develop symptoms. Environmental sampling detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in two households with known active cases and in two public service sites: the petrol station and the pharmacy. Samples from other sites and the wastewater tested negative. Conclusions: The low proportion of patients tested by RT-PCR calls for urgent changes in disease management. We propose that early testing of all cases and their close contacts would reduce infection spread, reducing the disease burden and fatalities. In a context of restricted testing, environmental RNA surveillance might prove useful for early warning and to identify high-risk settings enabling a targeted resource deployment.

scholarly journals Linking Staff Cases in a Hospital COVID-19 Outbreak Using Electronic Tracking Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s48-s48
Author(s):  
Pragya Dhaubhadel ◽  
Margie Pace ◽  
Trina Augustine ◽  
Seth Hostetler ◽  
Mark Shelly
Keyword(s):  
Tracking System ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Hospital Unit ◽  
Respiratory Therapists ◽  
Voluntary Testing ◽  
Electronic Tracking ◽  
Nursing Station ◽  
Test Result ◽  
Close Contacts

Background: Significant outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infections have occurred in healthcare personnel (HCP). We used an electronic tracking system (ETS) as a tool to link staff cases of COVID-19 in place and time during a COVID-19 outbreak in a community hospital. Methods: We identified SARS-CoV-2 infection cases through surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing, and voluntary testing. For those wearing ETS badges (Centrak), data were reviewed for places occupied by the personnel during their incubation and infectious windows. Contacts beyond 15 minutes in the same location were considered close contacts. Results: Over 6 weeks (August 10–September 14, 2020), 35 HCPs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by NAAT testing. In total, 18 nurses and aides were clustered on 1 hospital unit, 7 cases occurred among respiratory therapists that visited that unit, and 10 occurred in other departments. Overall, 17 individuals wore ETS badges as part of hand hygiene monitoring. ETS data established potential transmission opportunities in 17 instances, all but 2 before symptom onset or positive test result. Contacts were most often (10 of 17) in common work areas (nursing stations), with a median time of 45 minutes (IQR, 21–137). Contacts occurred within and between departments. A few COVID-19 patients were cared for in this location at the time of the outbreak. However, we did not detect HCP-to-patient nor patient-to-HCP transmission. Conclusions: Significant HCP-to-HCP transmission occurred during this outbreak based on ETS location. These events often occurred in shared work areas such as the nursing station in addition to break areas noted in other reports. ETS systems, installed for other purposes, can serve to reinforce standard epidemiology.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

Implementation of the Canadian Contingency Plan for a Case of Suspected Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Loeb ◽  
Douglas MacPherson ◽  
Michele Barton ◽  
Jan Olde
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Laboratory Equipment ◽  
Contingency Plan ◽  
Close Contacts

AbstractObjective:To describe the implementation of the Canadian contingency plan for viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) in response to a suspected case.Setting:A 300-bed, tertiary-care, university-affiliated hospital.Participants:A 32-year-old Congolese woman admitted to the hospital with suspected VHF in February 2001. Contact evaluation included hospital healthcare workers and laboratory staff.Intervention:Enhanced isolation precautions were implemented in the patient care setting to prevent nosocomial transmission. Contact tracing and evaluation of close and high-risk contacts with symptoms was conducted. Laboratory precautions included barrier precautions and diversion of specimens. Communication occurred to both hospital employees and the media.Results:Three high-risk contacts, 13 close contacts, and 60 casual contacts were identified. Two close contacts became symptomatic and required evaluation. Challenging process issues included tracing of laboratory specimens, decontamination of laboratory equipment, and internal and external communication. After 5 days, a transmissible VHF of public health consequence was ruled out in the index case.Conclusion:Contingency plans for VHF can be implemented in an efficient and feasible manner. Contact tracing, laboratory issues, internal communication, and media interest can be anticipated to be the key challenges.

scholarly journals Reducing contacts to stop SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the second pandemic wave in Brussels, Belgium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brecht Ingelbeen ◽  
Laurène Peckeu ◽  
Marie Laga ◽  
Ilona Hendrix ◽  
Inge Neven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Risk Ratio ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Social Mixing ◽  
Before School ◽  
Specific Number ◽  
Pandemic Wave ◽  
Close Contacts

AbstractBackgroundReducing contacts is a cornerstone of containing SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the effect of physical distancing measures and of school reopening on contacts and consequently on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Brussels, a hotspot during the second European wave.MethodsUsing SARS-CoV-2 case reports and contact tracing data during August-November 2020, we estimated changes in the age-specific number of reported contacts. We associated these trends with changes in the instantaneous reproduction number Rt and in age-specific transmission-events during distinct intervention periods in the Brussels region. Furthermore, we analysed trends in age-specific case numbers, pre- and post-school opening.FindingsWhen schools reopened and physical distancing measures relaxed, the weekly mean number of reported contacts surged from 2.01 (95%CI 1.73-2.29) to 3.04 (95%CI 2.93-3.15), increasing across all ages. The fraction of cases aged 10-19 years started increasing before school reopening, with no further increase following school reopening (risk ratio 1.23, 95%CI 0.79-1.94). During the subsequent month, 8.9% (67/755) of infections identified were from teenagers to other ages, while 17.0% (131/755) from other ages to teenagers. Rt peaked mid-September at 1.48 (95%CI 1.35-1.63). Reintroduction of physical distancing measures reduced reported contacts to 1.85 (95%CI 1.78-1.91), resulting in Rt dropping below 1 within 3 weeks.InterpretationThe second pandemic wave in Brussels was the result of increased contacts across all ages following school reopening. Stringent physical distancing measures, including closure of bars and limiting close contacts while schools remain open, reduced social mixing, in turn controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission.FundingEuropean Commission H2020. GGC Brussel.

scholarly journals The Omnipresent and The Omnipotent – Surveillance and Power

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 78-91
Author(s):  
Anjely Aravindan ◽  
Aiswarya R Nair
Keyword(s):  
Individual Growth ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Hunger Games ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Individual Privacy ◽  
The People ◽  
The Hunger Games ◽  
Huge Impact

The objective of this paper is to trace the derivation of power through imperious surveillance upon the citizens of Panem and the consequent denial of citizen rights. The paper also analyses the nature of people’s fear of being watched and how the overbearing surveillance system in action can violate individual privacy. The act of being continuously watched or monitored and the knowledge of being under the control of power, a 'watchful eye', can create a huge impact upon the people under surveillance. In the modern world, people are being watched continuously and closely and are tracked through economic activities and electronic media. The paper aims to prove that surveillance in any form is a constraining force limiting people from being themselves. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins portray a dystopian post-apocalyptic land of Panem where the Capitol uses surveillance and the people’s fear of being watched as tools to assert their power over the citizens. After years of being watched and controlled, the people of Panem have forgotten basic citizen birthrights and the beauty of freedom in their lives. These people lose their real identity in this cage where they are devoid of any individual preferences. If the citizens are not completely aware of the value of privacy which is an inherent human right and much required for individual growth and development, the possibilities of losing the contemporary world to such a dystopian reality are high.

scholarly journals The first GAEN-based COVID-19 contact tracing app in Norway identifies 80% of close contacts in "real life" scenarios.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hinta Meijerink ◽  
Elisabeth H. Madslien ◽  
Camilla Mauroy ◽  
Mia Karoline Johansen ◽  
Sindre Mogster Braaten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operating Systems ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
P Value ◽  
Notification Rate ◽  
P Values ◽  
Time Threshold ◽  
Multiple Weights ◽  
Optimal Setting ◽  
Close Contacts

The COVID-19 response in most countries depends on testing, isolation, contact tracing, and quarantine, which is labor- and time consuming. Therefore, several countries worldwide launched Bluetooth based apps as supplemental tools. We evaluated the new Norwegian GAEN (Google Apple Exposure Notification) based contact tracing app 'Smittestopp' under two relevant simulated scenarios, namely standing in a queue and riding public transport. We compared two configurations (C1: 58/63 dBm; C2: 58/68 dBm) with multiple weights (1.0-2.5) and time thresholds (10-15 min), by calculating notification rates among close contacts (≤2 meters, ≥15 min) and other non-close contacts. In addition, we estimated the effect of using different operating systems and locations of phone (hand/pocket) using Chi2. C2 resulted in significantly higher notification rates than C1 (p-value 0.05 - 0.005). The optimal setting resulted in notifications among 80% of close contacts and 34% of other contacts, using C2 with weights of 2.0 for the low and 1.5 for the middle bucket with a 13-minutes time threshold. Among other contacts, the notification rate was 67% among those ≤2 meters for <15 minutes compared to 19% among those >2 meters (p=0.004). Significantly (p-values 0.046 - 0.001) lower notification rates were observed when using the iOS operating systems or carrying the phone in the pocket instead of in the hand. This study highlights the importance of testing and optimizing the performance of contact tracing apps under 'real life' conditions to optimized configuration for identifying close contacts.

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