Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission.
Dinesh AggarwalBen WarneAminu S JahunWilliam L HamiltonThomas FieldmanLouis du PlessisVerity HillBeth BlaneEmmeline WatkinsElizabeth WrightGrant HallCatherine LuddenRichard MyersMyra HosmilloYasmin ChaudhryMalte L PinckertIliana GeorganaRhys IzuagbeDanielle LeekOlisaeloka NsonwuGareth J HughesSimon PackerAndrew J PageMarina MetaxakiStewart FullerGillian WealeJon HolgateChristopher A Brownnull nullnull nullnull nullRob HowesDuncan McFarlaneGordon DouganOliver George PybusDaniela De AngelisPatrick H MaxwellSharon J PeacockMichael P WeekesChris IllingworthEwan M HarrisonNicholas J MathesonIan G GoodfellowPublished in: Nature communications (2022)
Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.