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Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 during an Outbreak in a Roma Community in Thessaly, Greece—Control Measures and Lessons Learned

Author

Listed:
  • Michalis Koureas

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.)

  • Matthaios Speletas

    (Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece)

  • Zacharoula Bogogiannidou

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Dimitris Babalis

    (General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece)

  • Vassilios Pinakas

    (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Ourania Pinaka

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Apostolos Komnos

    (General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece)

  • Stella Tsoutsa

    (General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece)

  • Georgia Papadamou

    (Emergency Department, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, 41110 Larissa, Greece)

  • Maria A. Kyritsi

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Alexandros Vontas

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Vasileios Nakoulas

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Spyros Sapounas

    (Hellenic National Public Health Organization, 15123 Athens, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Kanellopoulos

    (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Kalompatsios

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Vassiliki Papadouli

    (Local Health Unit of Ampelokipi, 5th Regional Health Authority of Thessaly & Sterea, Ministry of Health, 41447 Larissa, Greece)

  • Katerina Dadouli

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Soteris Soteriades

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Paraskevi Mina

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Varvara A. Mouchtouri

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Lemonia Anagnostopoulos

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Kostantinos E. Stamoulis

    (Hellenic National Blood Transfusion Center, 13677 Athens, Greece)

  • Kostantinos Agorastos

    (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Efthimia A. Petinaki

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Prezerakos

    (Department of Nursing, University of the Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, Greece)

  • Sotirios Tsiodras

    (Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.)

  • Christos Hadjichristodoulou

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.)

Abstract

A COVID-19 outbreak occurred among residents of a Roma settlement in Greece (8 April–4 June 2020). The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures implemented. Data were analyzed from individuals that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 during contact tracing, population screening or hospital visits. RT-PCR was used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in oropharyngeal samples. Risk factors for household secondary attack rates (SAR) and hospitalization with COVID-19 were examined using chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression analyses. During the outbreak, 142 cases, 20 hospitalizations and 1 death were recorded, with a total of 2273 individuals tested. The risk of hospitalization was associated with age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07) and Cycle threshold (Ct) values (OR for a decrease in Ct values by 1: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07–1.31). Household SAR was estimated at 38.62% (95% CI: 32.50–45.01%). After the designation of an isolation facility for cases, household SAR declined from 74.42% to 31.03%. Household size was associated with the risk of infection (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.00–7.07). The presence of COVID-19 symptoms among index cases was correlated with higher transmission (OR: 23.68, 95% CI 2.21–253.74) in multivariate analysis, while age was found to be associated with SAR only in univariate analysis. Roma communities can be particularly vulnerable to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In similar settings, symptomatic cases are more important transmitters of SARS-CoV-2. Within these communities, immediate measures should be implemented to mitigate disease spread.

Suggested Citation

  • Michalis Koureas & Matthaios Speletas & Zacharoula Bogogiannidou & Dimitris Babalis & Vassilios Pinakas & Ourania Pinaka & Apostolos Komnos & Stella Tsoutsa & Georgia Papadamou & Maria A. Kyritsi & Al, 2021. "Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 during an Outbreak in a Roma Community in Thessaly, Greece—Control Measures and Lessons Learned," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2878-:d:515207
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin Cook & Geoffrey Wayne & Anne Valentine & Anna Lessios & Ethan Yeh, 2013. "Revisiting the evidence on health and health care disparities among the Roma: a systematic review 2003–2012," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(6), pages 885-911, December.
    2. Miroslav Dostal & Jan Topinka & Radim Sram, 2010. "Comparison of the health of Roma and non-Roma children living in the district of Teplice," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(5), pages 435-441, October.
    3. Monasta, L. & Andersson, N. & Ledogar, R.J. & Theol, D. & Cockcroft, A., 2008. "Minority health and small numbers epidemiology: A case study of living conditions and the health of children in 5 foreign Romá camps in Italy," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(11), pages 2035-2041.
    4. Dena Ringold & Mitchell A. Orenstein & Erika Wilkens, 2005. "Roma in an Expanding Europe : Breaking the Poverty Cycle," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 14869, December.
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