Investigation and management of an outbreak of COVID-19 infection in an acute admission unit in a District General Hospital: lessons learnt.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks are difficult to recognise and control due to its high infectivity and the wide range of clinical manifestations of the infection. An outbreak at Watford general hospital provided an opportunity to recognise the complexity involved in a COVID-19 outbreak investigation.

Methods: An outbreak control team (OCT) was convened.

Undetectable SARS-CoV-2 in a nasopharyngeal swab but persistent viral RNA from deep lung swabs: findings from an autopsy.

During the global pandemic of COVID-19 accurate diagnosis of the infection by demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by PCR in specimens is crucial for therapeutic and preventative interventions. There have been instances where nasal and throat swabs have been negative despite the patient having typical clinical and radiological findings compatible with the disease. We report a case of a man in his late 50s, brought to the hospital following a cardiac arrest and prolonged unsuccessful resuscitation.