COVID-19 outbreak study in workers of a hydroelectric company, Huila – Colombia 2020

Abstract

Introduction: The public health consequences generated by the COVID19 pandemic have a direct impact on the health of workers. Studies demonstrate a strong relationship between production plants and COVID-19 transmission in the local community, suggesting that they can act as sources of transmission to the surrounding population and accelerate the spread of the virus beyond the population risk. The Hydroelectric Power Plant is located in Huila, its area of influence covers Gigante, Garzón, El Agrado, Altamira, Paicol and Tesalia municipalities. On April 18, 2020, a confirmed case of a hydroelectric plant worker was reported. The objective of the study was to characterize a COVID19 outbreak in the Hydroelectric plant and identify the possible source of contagion.

Materials and methods: Field epidemiological research and active communal and institutional searches were completed; confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection reported to the epidemiological surveillance system were included. Clinical and work activity variables (schedules, commute, contacts) were studied.

Results: On April 23, a conglomerate was formed at the hydroelectric plant, with a total of 17 confirmed cases, 10 of them plant operators. 135 close contacts were established. An operator was identified as a primary case, who had contact with an employee visiting from Ecuador. An attack rate of 18 % was calculated, 44 % of the confirmed cases were related to family interaction of the workers. The cases presented mild manifestations of the disease. The outbreak lasted 40 days.

Conclusions: An outbreak occurred in an energy production plant, which affected around 20 % of its workers, who lived in different municipalities in the plant's area of influence. Local health authorities implemented prevention and control measures, achieving outbreak control.