ARMOR-Household: Characterizing Transmission of COVID-19 in Households of SARS-CoV-2 Index Cases

The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in pandemic levels and a global challenge in diagnosing infection. Little is known about transmission and disease presentation of COVID-19. Children tend to present with mild or no symptoms, and only a minority seem to progress to severe disease. Therefore, fewer have been tested. Health care providers who are highly exposed are under tested for their level of exposure. Under diagnoses in these groups can result in onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 if non-pharmaceutical interventions like self-isolation are not strictly practiced. The investigators aim to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a pediatric, health care worker and other individuals sample in a large urban health center; Estimate the household secondary attack rate of SARS-COV-2 from the pediatric and adult index case SARS-COV-2 identified through the prevalence survey; and identify risk factors that affect transmission from within and outside of the household clusters.

This is an observational prospective cohort study of pediatric patients, New York Presbyterian (and affiliates) health workers, and any individuals who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 cases and their household contacts residing in New York City. Child index and their household members who consent to participate will be enrolled and tested for SARS-CoV-2. Households will be followed prospectively for a minimum of 15 days from the date the last household member testing positive. Daily clinical symptom reporting, social distancing behaviors within and outside of the household, emotional and mental health factors such anxiety, stigma and disclosure (among SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed) will be reported by adult household members and minors over the age of 7. Adults will report signs and symptoms for minors under the age of 7. SARS-CoV-2 negative household members will be re-tested around the day of onset of symptoms and baseline negative household members will be tested at the end of the observation period. A proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive household members will be sampled serially for viral shedding and would be sampled on the day of onset of exposure. Households where all members are positive at baseline visit will be excluded from participation.

Inclusion criteria

• Index is a positive child AND at least one household member is negative

OR

• Index is a positive symptomatic / asymptomatic New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) and affiliates worker or any individual AND at least one household member is negative

OR

• Either Index case is negative, exposed to a confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2 case, AND at least one household members is negative

Exclusion criteria

• Index case is positive and all household members are positive