Effects of a closed-loop system against SARS-CoV-2 at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games: a descriptive and modeling study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:To assess the efficacy of the epidemic prevention measures of the "closed-loop" system adopted by the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games (BOWG). METHODS:We retrospectively collected and analyzed information, including age, sex, nationality, vaccination status, date of diagnosis, and date of entry, from 280 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals identified during the BOWG. A susceptibility-exposed-infectious-remove model was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of epidemic prevention strategies on controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 under different scenarios during the BOWG. RESULTS:Regarding SARS-CoV-2-positive cases, 97.9% were imported, and 96.4% were asymptomatic. The median age was 37 years (range: 29-47 years), and 73.9% were male, with the majority of cases being broadcasters and European attendees. Regarding vaccination status, 93.5% were fully vaccinated, and six cases were considered to have been infected in the closed-loop system during the BOWG. Assuming that the BOWG adopted a semi-closed-loop management system, the cumulative number of confirmed cases would be 1,137 for quick quarantine measures (3 d later) implemented and 5,530 for delayed quarantine measures (9 d later) implemented. This modeling revealed that stringent pandemic prevention measures and closed-loop management effectively controlled the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the BOWG.CONCLUSION: Imported cases are considered the main risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 transmission during mass gatherings, but a comprehensive closed-loop system could minimize transmission among attendees and general personnel.