Nosocomial outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a highly vaccinated population, Israel, July 2021

Euro Surveill. 2021 Sep;26(39):2100822. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.39.2100822.

Abstract

A nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infected 42 patients, staff and family members; 39 were fully vaccinated. The attack rate was 10.6% (16/151) among exposed staff and reached 23.7% (23/97) among exposed patients in a highly vaccinated population, 16-26 weeks after vaccination (median: 25 weeks). All cases were linked and traced to one patient. Several transmissions occurred between individuals wearing face masks. Fourteen of 23 patients became severely sick or died, raising a question about possible waning immunity.

Keywords: COVID-19; Delta variant; Israel; Nosocomial; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Cross Infection* / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Israel
  • SARS-CoV-2