CDC: Update on COVID-19 transmission at 2023 EIS Conference

Editor's Note

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on May 26, released an update on the spread of COVID-19 at its 2023 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference in Atlanta in April. The conference was attended by some 1,800 in-person attendees.

A rapid assessment team was gathered to survey the attendees and learn more about how transmissions occurred.

Of 1,443 attendees who responded to the survey:

• 181 (13%) tested positive for COVID-19
• 52% of those testing positive reported no known prior COVID-19 infection
• 1,435 (99.4%) reported at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose
• 70% did not wear a mask at the event
• the risk of infection was 70% greater in those who attended the conference for 3 or more days, compared to those who attended for 2 or fewer days
• 27% of those testing positive received antiviral medications
• none were hospitalized.

The CDC concluded that the findings of the rapid assessment team support previous data that show COVID-19 vaccines, antiviral treatments, and immunity from previous infection provide people with protection from serious illness.