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| - BACKGROUND: We describe key characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak within an inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit at the University of Washington Medical Center – Northwest (UWMC – NW). METHODS: After identifying two patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection on March 11, 2020, we conducted an outbreak investigation and employed targeted interventions including: screening of patients and staff; isolation and cohorting of confirmed cases; serial testing; and enhanced infection prevention measures. RESULTS: We identified 10 patients and 7 staff members with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thirty percent of patients (n=3) remained asymptomatic over the course of infection. Among SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, fever (n=5, 50%) and cough (n=4, 40%) were the most common symptoms. Median duration of RT-PCR positivity was 25.5 days (IQR 22.8 – 41.8) among symptomatic patients and 22.0 days (IQR 19.5 – 25.5) among asymptomatic patients. Median initial (19.0, IQR 18.7 – 25.7 vs. 21.7, IQR 20.7 – 25.6) and nadir (18.9, IQR 18.2 – 20.3 vs. 19.8, IQR 17.0 – 20.7) cycle threshold values were similar across symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic infection was common in this cohort of hospitalized, elderly individuals despite similar duration of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity and cycle threshold values among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
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