COVID-19: cross-border contact tracing in Germany, February to April 2020

Author:

Markus Inessa1234,Steffen Gyde51,Lachmann Raskit6,Marquis Adine7,Schneider Timm4,Tomczyk Sara8,Koppe Uwe5,Rohde Anna M8,Schink Susanne Barbara5,Seifried Janna9,Domaszewska Teresa10,Rexroth Ute4,an der Heiden Maria4

Affiliation:

1. These authors contributed equally to this work

2. European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden

3. Robert Koch Institute, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Berlin, Germany

4. Robert Koch Institute, Unit for Surveillance, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

5. Robert Koch Institute, Unit for HIV/AIDS, STI and Blood-borne Infections, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

6. Robert Koch Institute, Unit for Gastrointestinal Infections, Zoonoses and Tropical Infections, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

7. Robert Koch Institute, Unit for Immunization, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

8. Robert Koch Institute, Unit for Healthcare-associated Infections, Surveillance of Antibiotic Resistance and Consumption, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

9. Robert Koch Institute, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

10. Robert Koch Institute, Unit for Respiratory Infections, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Introduction The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) managed the exchange of cross-border contact tracing data between public health authorities (PHA) in Germany and abroad during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Aim We describe the extent of cross-border contact tracing and its challenges. Methods We analysed cross-border COVID-19 contact tracing events from 3 February to 5 April 2020 using information exchanged through the European Early Warning Response System and communication with International Health Regulation national focal points. We described events by PHA, number of contacts and exposure context. Results The RKI processed 467 events, initiating contact to PHA 1,099 times (median = 1; interquartile range (IQR): 1–2) and sharing data on 5,099 contact persons. Of 327 (70%) events with known exposure context, the most commonly reported exposures were aircraft (n = 64; 20%), cruise ships (n = 24; 7%) and non-transport contexts (n = 210; 64%). Cruise ship and aircraft exposures generated more contacts with authorities (median = 10; IQR: 2–16, median = 4; IQR: 2–11) and more contact persons (median = 60; IQR: 9–269, median = 2; IQR: 1–3) than non-transport exposures (median = 1; IQR: 1–6 and median = 1; IQR: 1–2). The median time spent on contact tracing was highest for cruise ships: 5 days (IQR: 3–9). Conclusion In the COVID-19 pandemic, cross-border contact tracing is considered a critical component of the outbreak response. While only a minority of international contact tracing activities were related to exposure events in transport, they contributed substantially to the workload. The numerous communications highlight the need for fast and efficient global outbreak communication channels between PHA.

Publisher

European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC)

Subject

Virology,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Epidemiology

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