Investigation of a SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak at an Automotive Manufacturing Site in England

Amber I. Raja, Karin van Veldhoven, Adanna Ewuzie, Gillian Frost, Vince Sandys, Barry Atkinson, Ian Nicholls, Alice Graham, Hannah Higgins, Matthew Coldwell, Andrew Simpson, Joan Cooke, Allan Bennett, Chris Barber, Derek Morgan, Christina Atchison, Chris Keen, Tony Fletcher, Neil Pearce, Elizabeth B. Brickley and Yiqun Chen
Additional contact information
Amber I. Raja: Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Karin van Veldhoven: Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Adanna Ewuzie: Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Gillian Frost: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Vince Sandys: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Barry Atkinson: Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
Ian Nicholls: Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
Alice Graham: Rapid Investigation Team, Field Services, UK Health Security Agency, Wellington House, London SE1 8UG, UK
Hannah Higgins: Rapid Investigation Team, Field Services, UK Health Security Agency, Wellington House, London SE1 8UG, UK
Matthew Coldwell: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Andrew Simpson: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Joan Cooke: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Allan Bennett: Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
Chris Barber: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Derek Morgan: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Christina Atchison: Rapid Investigation Team, Field Services, UK Health Security Agency, Wellington House, London SE1 8UG, UK
Chris Keen: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
Tony Fletcher: Chemical and Environmental Effects Department, UK Health Security Agency, Chilton OX11 0RQ, UK
Neil Pearce: Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Elizabeth B. Brickley: Health Equity Action Lab, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Yiqun Chen: Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Workplace-related outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to occur globally. The manufacturing sector presents a particular concern for outbreaks, and a better understanding of transmission risks are needed. Between 9 March and 24 April 2021, the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) Outbreak Investigation to Understand Transmission (COVID-OUT) study undertook a comprehensive investigation of a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak at an automotive manufacturing site in England. The site had a total of 266 workers, and 51 SARS-CoV-2 infections. Overall, ventilation, humidity, and temperature at the site were assessed to be appropriate for the number of workers and the work being conducted. The company had implemented a number of infection control procedures, including provision of face coverings, spacing in the work, and welfare areas to allow for social distancing. However, observations of worker practices identified lapses in social distancing, although all were wearing face coverings. A total of 38 workers, including four confirmed cases, participated in the COVID-OUT study. The majority of participants received COVID-19 prevention training, though 42.9% also reported that their work required close physical contact with co-workers. Additionally, 73.7% and 34.2% had concerns regarding reductions in future income and future unemployment, respectively, due to self-isolation. This investigation adds to the growing body of evidence of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks from the manufacturing sector. Despite a layered COVID-19 control strategy at this site, cases clustered in areas of high occupancy and close worker proximity.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; workplace; outbreak; manufacturing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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