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What is already known about this topic?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariant has a stronger transmission capacity and faster transmission speed than the previous strain.
What is added by this report?
The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2.76 who caused local transmission was reported in Chongqing Municipality on August 16, 2022. For 35minutes, the Patient Zero jogged along a lake at a local park without wearing a mask. Among the 2,836 people potentially exposed at the time, 39 tested positive. Overall, 38 out of 39 cases did not wear a mask on the morning of August 16. All 39 cases lacked any previous exposure to the variant before testing positive on their nucleic acid test.
What are the implications for public health practice?
It is essential to maintain personal wellbeing by ensuring one maintains personal protection and follows regulated guidelines such as maintaining safe distances from others both indoors and outdoors.
The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariant BA.2.76 causing local transmission was reported in Chongqing Municipality on August 16, 2022. For 35 minutes, Patient Zero jogged along a lake in a park without wearing mask. Of the 2,836 people potentially exposed in the park, 39 tested SARS-CoV-2 positive. Gene analysis from the 39 cases showed highly homologous when compared to Patient Zero. Epidemiological investigations supported Patient Zero transmitted to the following 33 visitors and 2 park cleaners and the 2 cleaners transmitted to 4 colleagues. This outbreak indicated that the Omicron subvariant BA.2.76 could be easily transmitted to others outdoors if they are not equipped with effective protection equipment. The public should be encouraged to use good protection measures and retaining safe distances amongst others both indoors and outdoors....
Preprint available in China CDC Weekly (Nov. 18, 2022)
