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COVID-19 outbreak among a university’s men’s and women’s soccer teams — Chicago, Illinois, July–August 2020
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October 27, 2020
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[PDF-192.87 KB]
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Description:What is already known about this topic? SARS-CoV-2 Transmission occurs in congregate settings, including colleges and universities.
What is added by this report? Investigation of 17 COVID-19 cases among a university’s men’s and women’s soccer team identified numerous social gatherings as possible Transmission events. Minimal mask use and social distancing resulted in rapid spread among students who live, practice, and socialize together.
What are the implications for public health practice? Colleges and universities are at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks because of shared housing and social gatherings where recommended Prevention guidance is not followed. Schools should consider conducting periodic repeat tTesting of asymptomatic students to identify outbreaks early and implementing policies and improving messaging to promote mask use and social distancing.
Data on Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the Virus that causes coronaVirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), among college athletes are limited. In August 2020, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified of a cluster of COVID-19 cases among a university’s men’s and women’s soccer teams. CDPH initiated an investigation, interviewed members of both teams, and collated laboratory data to understand Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within the teams. Numerous social gatherings with limited mask use or social distancing preceded the outbreak. Transmission resulted in 17 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases across both teams (n = 45), likely from a single source introduction of SARS-CoV-2 (based on whole genome sequencing) and subsequent Transmission during multiple gatherings. Colleges and universities are at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks because of shared housing and social gatherings where recommended Prevention guidance is not followed. Improved strategies to promote mask use and social distancing among college-aged adults need to be implemented, as well as periodic repeat tTesting to identify asymptomatic infections and prevent outbreaks among groups at increased risk for infection because of frequent exposure to close contacts in congregate settings on and off campus.
Suggested citation for this article: Teran RA, Ghinai I, Gretsch S, et al. COVID-19 Outbreak Among a University’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams — Chicago, Illinois, July–August 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 27 October 2020.
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