Investigation of a Coronavirus Outbreak 2019 in a Private School, Samut Prakan Province, 2021

Abstract

This report demonstrates investigation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in a private school in Samut Prakan Province during 19-22 April 2021. The objectives were (1) to confirm diagnose and outbreaks, (2) to describe the burden and distribution of COVID-19 infection, and (3) to find the causes or risk factors and those who were exposed to the disease, as well as establishing measures for the prevention and control. This study was conducted as a descriptive epidemiological investigation associated with two confirmed cases of COVID-19 who were teachers in a private school. Data were collected from medical documents, interviews with patients, close contacts, personnel involved and study environment in the school. It was found that (1) the first of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 were foreign teachers. (2) There were 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection found from active case finding, attack rates in school and household contact were 18.87% and 14.00%, respectively. Characteristics of patients were 51.00% male, 56.52%were students, 10.86% were teachers, and 82.6% were asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. (3) The risk factors for the outbreak were 69.56% of close contact in farewell party activities for retired teachers, followed by 58.96% of activity in class room, 30.43% of close contact in the house, and 6.52% of others (attending Phuket Festival, smoking, and improper wearing of protective equipment). Therefore, organizational measures should be taken to monitor and control s well as class-room management to be in line with the measures set by Ministry of Public Health; emphasizes on strictly wearing personal protective equipment, and refrain from unnecessary group activities including the use of gathering at smoking areas.