Theme 1: Outbreak investigations
Theme 1 of the PROTECT study includes rapid on-the-ground investigations (known as the COVID-OUT study) of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces, as well as comprehensive analysis of outbreak data collected by UK Health Security Agency and regulatory bodies.
The aim is to identify outbreak causes and common risk factors, a better understanding of which will help prevent and control further outbreaks as the UK unlocks.
Working alongside active public health outbreak investigations, COVID-OUT researchers collect additional data including COVID-19 swabs and antibody tests, surface wipe samples, and questionnaires and observations on workers’ activities, commuting routes, ventilation, hygiene and risk management practices.
This information is analysed and fed into the virus modelling in Theme 2 and the sector-specific studies in Theme 3 of PROTECT to help inform government policy. It is also fed back to participating workplaces in the form of tailored risk assessments and practical recommendations to help prevent transmission.
Collaborating with analysts from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Office for National Statistics, Theme 1 researchers are also developing models to estimate the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces based on socio-demographic, environmental and other factors.
Theme team
Theme leads: Dr Yiqun Chen and Dr Derek Morgan, Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Other partners:
- UK Health Security Agency
- The University of Manchester
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Study Documents including publications
- COVID-OUT Study Summary (Updated) PDF format
- COVID-OUT Employer information Sheet (updated) PDF Format
- COVID-OUT Study Overview slide set (with antibody tests) PDF format
- COVID-OUT Participant Information Sheet (with antibody tests) PDF format
- COVID-OUT Study Leaflet (with antibody tests) PDF format
- COVID-OUT Study Overview slide set (questionnaire only) PDF format
- COVID-OUT Participant Information Sheet (questionnaire only) PDF format
- COVID-OUT Study Leaflet (questionnaire only) PDF format
- Identifying employee, workplace and population characteristics associated with COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace: a population-based study
- An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a public-facing office in England
- Surface sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in workplace outbreak settings in the UK, 2021–22
- A COVID-19 Outbreak in a Large Meat-Processing Plant in England: Transmission Risk Factors and Controls
- A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a plastics manufacturing plant
- Quantifying the risk of workplace COVID-19 clusters in terms of commuter, workplace, and population characteristics
- Systematic review of risk factors for workplace outbreaks of COVID-19
- COVID-19 outbreak rates and infection attack rates associated with the workplace: a descriptive epidemiological study
- Documentary analysis of HSE COVID-19 outbreak investigations
- Investigation of a SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak at an Automotive Manufacturing Site in England
- The COVID-OUT study protocol: COVID-19 outbreak investigation to understand workplace SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the United Kingdom
- A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a public order and safety training facility in England, June 2021
- Description of control measures, attitudes, and behaviours at a scientific conference with a confirmed COVID-19 case but no reported onward transmission, November 2021 England
- Managing SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk in workplace COVID-19 outbreaks
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Updates will include new evidence statements, briefings, journal papers, event invites and more, aimed at policymakers, businesses, public health and health and safety professionals, and researchers.
Contact Us
Email: PROTECT@hse.gov.uk
Health & Safety Executive – Science Division
Harpur Hill
Buxton
SK17 9JN
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