Social contact patterns among employees in U.S. long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, December 2020 to June 2021

BMC Res Notes. 2023 Oct 26;16(1):294. doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06563-0.

Abstract

Objective: We measured contact patterns using social contact diaries for 157 U.S. long-term care facility employees from December 2020 - June 2021. These data are crucial for analyzing mathematical transmission models and for informing healthcare setting infection control policy.

Results: The median number of daily contacts was 10 (IQR 8-11). Household contacts were more likely partially masked than fully masked, more likely to involve physical contact, and longer in duration compared to facility contacts.

Keywords: COVID-19; Infection control; Long-term care facilities; Social contacts.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Health Facilities
  • Humans
  • Infection Control
  • Long-Term Care
  • Pandemics / prevention & control