Applied epidemiology of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, Victoria, 2020-2021

Abstract

This thesis demonstrates achievement of the competency requirements of the Australian National University's Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE). My MAE placement was at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference & Research on Influenza in Melbourne from March 2020 to October 2021. I participated in four projects fulfilling the four major competencies of the MAE program, including: 1) an early epidemiologic study of the spectrum of COVID-19 describing a high attack rate and low symptomatic fraction in a cohort of adults exposed to SARS-CoV-2 on an Antarctic cruise; 2) investigation and contact tracing of multiple COVID-19 outbreaks affecting health care workers at a major Melbourne hospital, from which one in ten close contacts tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 while in quarantine; 3) an investigation of the short-term effects of ambient fine particulate matter on healthcare encounters for respiratory illness in Melbourne; and 4) an evaluation of two systems for COVID-19 surveillance in residential aged care in Victoria, aimed at informing ongoing respiratory outbreak surveillance efforts. I present each project together with reflective discussion of relevant population health implications and lessons learned. I address achievement of all minor MAE competencies at various points throughout the thesis. Show more