Case Study

Response to a cluster of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 cases at a diagnostic laboratory

Christoffel J. Opperman, Gert J.K. Marais, Michelle Naidoo, Marvin Hsiao, Nazlee Samodien
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1307 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1307 | © 2020 Christoffel J. Opperman, Gert J.K. Marais, Michelle Naidoo, Marvin Hsiao, Nazlee Samodien | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 18 June 2020 | Published: 25 August 2020

About the author(s)

Christoffel J. Opperman, Division of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Gert J.K. Marais, Division of Medical Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
Michelle Naidoo, Division of Medical Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
Marvin Hsiao, Division of Medical Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
Nazlee Samodien, Division of Medical Microbiology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: We report on the first documented cluster of Coronavirus Disease 2019 cases amongst diagnostic laboratory staff and outline some of the initial and ongoing steps that are being implemented to manage and prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in our laboratory.

Case presentation: On 24 April 2020, three staff members of a tertiary diagnostic laboratory in Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Within seven days, a further nine cases were identified, which suggested an outbreak and prompted a full investigation.

Management and outcome: A multifaceted strategic approach was adopted to halt the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in our laboratory. Interventions focused on simultaneously establishing appropriate risk mitigation and stratification strategies through the upscaling of infection prevention and control measures, whilst minimising disruption to service delivery.

Conclusion: Laboratory Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreaks have the potential to cripple a laboratory’s testing capacity. Contingency planning and risk assessments should occur early, and interventions should be modified according to each laboratory’s available resources and infrastructure.


Keywords

SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; diagnostic laboratory; outbreak; occupational exposure

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Crossref Citations

1. African laboratory medicine in the time of COVID-19
Iruka N. Okeke
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine  vol: 9  issue: 1  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.1447