Super-spreaders are individuals infecting disproportionately large numbers of contacts. They probably play a crucial role in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe a super-spreading event within a team working in an open-space office and investigate factors potentially having facilitated SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this retrospective cohort study, semi-structured telephone interviews with all team members were carried out to identify symptoms, contacts, and adherence to basic hygiene measures. During site visits, we gathered information about workplace and seating arrangements. The secondary attack rate in office and households was calculated. Potential respiratory viral co-infections were assessed by multiplex PCR. SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing was performed using a tiled-amplicon sequencing approach. Of 13 team members, 11 fell ill with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Due to the sequence of events and full genome sequence data, one person was considered the index case for this outbreak, directly infecting 67 to 83% of the teammates. All team members reported repetitive close contacts among themselves during joint computer work, team meetings and a “Happy Birthday” serenade. Two individuals shared nuts and dates. The arrangement of the office and meeting rooms precluded sufficient adherence to physical distancing. The index case and a further individual were diagnosed with an adenovirus serotype 4 co-infection. We identified several environmental and behavioral factors that probably have facilitated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The relevance of the adenovirus co-infection remains unclear and merits further investigation.

中文翻译：

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呼吸道合并感染是否有助于SARS-CoV-2的传播？一个开放空间办公室中的超级传播事件的调查

超级传播者是感染不成比例的大量联系人的个体。它们可能在严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）的传播中起关键作用。我们描述了一个在开放空间办公室工作的团队中的一次超级传播事件，并调查了可能促进SARS-CoV-2传播的因素。在这项回顾性队列研究中，对所有团队成员进行了半结构化电话采访，以识别症状，接触和对基本卫生措施的依从性。在现场访问期间，我们收集了有关工作场所和座位安排的信息。计算了办公室和家庭中的二次攻击率。通过多重PCR评估潜在的呼吸道病毒共感染。SARS-CoV-2全基因组测序使用平铺扩增子测序方法进行。在13名团队成员中，有11名患了2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）。由于事件的顺序和完整的基因组序列数据，一个人被认为是这次暴发的标志性病例，直接感染了67％至83％的队友。所有团队成员报告说，在联合计算机工作，团队会议和“生日快乐”小夜曲之间，他们之间进行了反复的密切接触。两个人共享坚果和日期。办公室和会议室的布置妨碍了足够的物理距离。指示病例和另一人被诊断出患有腺病毒血清型4合并感染。我们确定了可能促进SARS-CoV-2传播的几种环境和行为因素。