TY - JOUR
T1 - Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic in an elite sports team using whole genome sequencing
AU - Shamier, Marc C.
AU - Wismans, Leonoor V.
AU - van Boheemen, Sander
AU - Oude Munnink, Bas B.
AU - Koopmans, Marion P.G.
AU - van Eijck, Casper H.J.
AU - van der Eijk, Annemiek A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors
PY - 2023/4/1
Y1 - 2023/4/1
N2 - Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of infection control measures to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within a professional sports team using whole genome sequencing. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: 74 players and staff members of a Dutch professional male football team were followed from August 2020 until May 2021. A set of health and safety measures were introduced and all participants underwent regular SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing. All positive samples were subsequently sequenced (Nanopore sequencing) to assess whether infections were acquired within the training center or in the community. Results: Throughout the study period, 13 participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The phylogenetic analysis revealed 2 clusters (of 2 and 3 cases respectively), indicating that 3/13 cases (23%) acquired infection from another player or staff member. The first cluster was diagnosed upon enrolment, thus transmission had occurred prior to the implementation of health and safety protocols. Finally, 4 cases were diagnosed prior to symptom onset, emphasizing that frequent testing leads to early detection and isolation. Conclusions: These data show that a combination of regular testing and basic control measures can prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 in a professional sports team. Whole genome sequencing is an important tool to distinguish between infections introduced from the community and infections transmitted between athletes.
AB - Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of infection control measures to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within a professional sports team using whole genome sequencing. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: 74 players and staff members of a Dutch professional male football team were followed from August 2020 until May 2021. A set of health and safety measures were introduced and all participants underwent regular SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing. All positive samples were subsequently sequenced (Nanopore sequencing) to assess whether infections were acquired within the training center or in the community. Results: Throughout the study period, 13 participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The phylogenetic analysis revealed 2 clusters (of 2 and 3 cases respectively), indicating that 3/13 cases (23%) acquired infection from another player or staff member. The first cluster was diagnosed upon enrolment, thus transmission had occurred prior to the implementation of health and safety protocols. Finally, 4 cases were diagnosed prior to symptom onset, emphasizing that frequent testing leads to early detection and isolation. Conclusions: These data show that a combination of regular testing and basic control measures can prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 in a professional sports team. Whole genome sequencing is an important tool to distinguish between infections introduced from the community and infections transmitted between athletes.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85152273803&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.03.010
DO - 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.03.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 37061395
AN - SCOPUS:85152273803
SN - 1440-2440
VL - 26
SP - 218
EP - 221
JO - Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
JF - Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
IS - 4-5
ER -