COVID-19 outbreak in nursing home, Pamplona, ​​Norte de Santander, weeks epidemiological 52 of 2020 to 06 of 2021

Abstract

Introduction: During January 2020, China reported the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as the causal agent of the first breakout in Wuhan, China. Colombia confirmed the first case of COVID-19 on March 6, 2020, and in Norte de Santander on March 15, 2020. In December, an outbreak affected older adults in the only nursing home in Pamplona municipality. The objective of this study was to characterize the outbreak, determine the contagion source and establish containment measures.

Methodology: Outbreak study. A case was defined as a resident or worker of the place, with symptoms associated with COVID-19 or a close contact with a COVID-19 case. Data was collected from the epidemiological field investigation, Capsule, nominal data, Sivigila, laboratory test databases and visit reports made by the municipality. Data analysis was performed by frequency measures: case counts, proportions, attack rate and lethality.

Results: 97 cases of COVID-19 (88 older adults, 6 external employees and 3 nuns) and 13 deaths. The pattern of transmission was propagated, and contagion source was determined to be the community. 54,6 % of the cases were men, and 51,5% were older adults (aged ±80). Attack rate (97/128): 75,8 %, and lethality: 13,4 %. In older adults more than 80 years of age, the attack rate was 86,2 % and the lethality was 22,0 %. Hypertension was the underlying pathology with the highest frequency among deaths (38,5 %) and cases (20,6 %).

Conclusion: The COVID-19 outbreak was confirmed in a nursing home associated with community transmission in Pamplona, Norte de Santander. The work articulated with the actors of the department system allowed the containment of the outbreak and the delivery of humanitarian aids during the isolation.