Abstract

The first case of the COVID-19 in Kerala was confirmed in Thrissur on 30 January 20201 which was the first case in India too. Prevention of developing clusters and their containment is a very important strategy to slow down the spread of disease. This paper describes the epidemiological investigation of two family clusters that occurred in the month of May and June 2020 in central Kerala when the state was experiencing a surge of cases. The descriptive research method was used to investigate two clusters of Covid 19 cases in a family in a rural area of central Kerala to understand the possible transmission dynamics and clinical profile. Data was collected by interviewing the family members and health workers over the phone after obtaining informed consent, Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of the nasal swab was done to confirm the Covid 19 case.
The attack rate in the first family cluster was 83.3% and 2nd cluster was 100%. The primary case was asymptomatic in both clusters. The majority of secondary cases were also asymptomatic. The cluster was developed by close contact with family members during the quarantine period. In both clusters one person each became symptomatic, one an old age person and another one a person with diabetes. There were no severe complications or deaths.
Asymptomatic persons were the primary cases in both clusters. Children and healthy adults were asymptomatic. Old age and high-risk people are at high risk of contracting the severe diseases if reverse quarantine is not followed at home. Quarantine breach was the main reason for the evolvement of clusters.

Key words: COVID 19, family cluster, quarantine