A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford has found that up to 1 in 50 people admitted to hospitals in England during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caught the coronavirus within the hospital. The study analyzed COVID-19 cases from June 2020 to March 2021 in 365 hospitals in England. The researchers classified individuals as having definitely or probably caught the virus in the hospital if they tested positive after being in the hospital for more than seven days.
After adjusting the figures to account for those who may have been missed by this approach, the team estimated that between 1 and 2 per cent of people admitted to hospitals in England during this period acquired the virus within the hospital. This statistic highlights the importance of taking stringent measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within healthcare settings.
The study also revealed that transmission rates varied among different hospitals, with higher rates observed in buildings with higher bed density and lower ceilings, as well as fewer single rooms. While it may not be feasible to rebuild hospitals overnight, the findings emphasize the value of reducing airborne spread through measures such as air filtering machines. Cleaner air in hospitals can help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
However, the researchers caution against directly translating the study results into policy recommendations due to two factors. Firstly, populations now have more immunity to COVID-19, given the higher number of individuals who have been infected or vaccinated. Secondly, healthcare systems need to balance multiple competing priorities for their resources. Investing in measures like better masks or air filters may divert resources from other critical areas.
In addition, some hospitals in England have faced criticism for advising staff with respiratory symptoms that there is no need to test for COVID-19 unless they work in wards treating individuals with weak immune systems. While implementing stricter testing policies could potentially help prevent the spread of the virus, it may also result in trade-offs such as reduced healthcare capacity.
To inform future decision-making, the researchers suggest conducting randomized trials to test interventions such as masking or stricter isolation strategies, similar to the testing of new medicines or vaccines. They also highlight the importance of improving data collection on hospitals’ strategies to draw tentative conclusions about the best course of action in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.
Insights
-The study highlights that the transmission of COVID-19 within hospitals was a significant issue during England’s second wave of the pandemic. This emphasizes the need for comprehensive measures to prevent the spread of the virus within healthcare settings.
-Individuals were more likely to contract the virus in hospitals with higher bed density and lower ceilings, indicating the importance of addressing factors that contribute to airborne spread.
-The study raises important considerations about resource allocation and trade-offs in implementing preventive measures within healthcare systems.
-Stricter testing policies can have implications for healthcare capacity, especially when healthcare providers are already under pressure to reduce waiting lists.
-Conducting randomized trials and improving data collection can provide valuable insights for future decision-making and preparedness for future pandemics.
