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