Risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among hospital healthcare workers in relation to patient contact and type of care.
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Klevebro S, Bahram F, Elfström KM, Hellberg U, Hober S, Merid SK, Kull I, Nilsson P, Tornvall P, Wang G, Conneryd Lundgren K, Ponzer S, Dillner J, Melén E
Scand J Public Health 49 (7) 707-712
[2021-11-00; online 2021-06-19]
We aimed to assess prevalence of IgG antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and factors associated with seropositivity in a large cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs). From 11 May until 11 June 2020, 3981 HCWs at a large Swedish emergency care hospital provided serum samples and questionnaire data. Presence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was measured as an indicator of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The total seroprevalence was 18% and increased during the study period. Among the seropositive HCWs, 11% had been entirely asymptomatic. Participants who worked with COVID-19 patients had higher odds for seropositivity: adjusted odds ratio 1.96 (95% confidence intervals 1.59-2.42). HCWs from three of the departments managing COVID-19 patients had significantly higher seroprevalences, whereas the prevalence among HCWs from the intensive care unit (also managing COVID-19 patients) was significantly lower. HCWs in contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected patients had a variable, but on average higher, likelihood for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Funder: KAW/SciLifeLab National COVID program
Research Area: High-throughput and high-content serology
PubMed 34148454
DOI 10.1177/14034948211022434
Crossref 10.1177/14034948211022434