Impact of social contacts on SARS-CoV-2 exposure among healthcare workers

Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure. Strict measures generally focus on the patient-to-HCW contacts. However, interactions between the HCWs also pose a high risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Aims This study was aimed to investigate the effect of social contacts on the level of SARS-CoV-2 exposure risk among workers by broadening the current risk assessment algorithm. Methods Contact tracing records of the workers in a large university hospital between 19th March and 31st December 2020 were analysed. Multivariate conditional logistic regression models were estimated to evaluate factors associated with high-risk exposure for contacts among workers. Results Of the 329 exposed clusters, 260 (79%) were HCW-to-HCW contacted clusters. High-risk exposure was higher in the HCW-to-HCW contacts (44%), when compared to the patient-to-HCW contacts (5%) (P < 0.001). A total of 1827 HCWs contacted a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-positive co-worker. Among the HCW-to-HCW contacts, high-risk exposure was higher in the support staff (49%, P < 0.001), in non-patient care settings (47%, P < 0.001) and in the social contacts (57%, P < 0.001). Social contacts between workers increased the high-risk exposure (adjusted odds ratio: 3.50, 95% confidence interval 2.62–4.69) in multivariate analysis. Conclusions A significant association between social contacts among workers and high-risk exposure of SARS-CoV-2 was observed. The results of the study emphasize the need for policies regarding the improved protection of HCWs in social settings in addition to patient care services.

Comparison of Three Different Waves in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Study in an Italian University Hospital

“…Working in a COVID-19 designated or in an HRIU department does not increase the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection: in all three waves, HCWs in LRIUs showed a nonsignificant higher frequency of COVID-19 cases than HCWs in HRIUs (8.7% vs. 7.9%). This finding, in line with recent studies, confirms the effectiveness of the use of adequate PPE in departments dedicated to the assistance and care of patients affected by COVID-19 or at a high biological risk, such as departments where invasive and aerosol-generating procedures are carried out [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Coworkers are more likely than patients to transmit SARS-CoV-2 infection to healthcare personnel

“…In our analysis, we observed that more HCP were exposed when the source was a patient than a coworker (3.4 vs 2.2 HCP exposed per source, respectively), while the more significant exposures (high risk) were more common when the source was a coworker. This finding is consistent with the previously reported results by Emecen et al and Maltezou et al 5 8…”

“…Similar to previously published studies,2 3 8 our cohort demonstrated the increased risk of developing COVID-19 infection after occupational exposure to a patient or coworker source with an overall post exposure infection rate of 4.5%. While the occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCP has been well defined in other studies,2 4 the difference in risk from occupational exposures to different source types has been inconsistent, with some studies reporting increased infection rates following exposures to patient sources9 10 while others have found an increased occupational exposure risk from infected coworkers 5 11 12. HCP in our study were three times more likely to test positive after an exposure to a coworker vs a patient, consistent with the previously reported result by Fell et al demonstrating a postexposure conversion rate of 3.8% when the source was a coworker compared with 1.3% for a patient source 11…”

“…Healthcare personal (HCP) remains among the highest burdened occupational groups by the COVID-19 pandemic due to their increased risk of exposure and acquiring the infection from exposure to patients or other HCP 1–3. While several studies have examined the impact of occupational exposure in a healthcare setting, little is known about the infection risk of exposure to patients compared with coworkers 4 5…”

Adverse Skin Reaction to Hand Hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment among Health-Care Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang

“…4 Frontline health-care workers (HCWs) fighting against COVID-19 infection with highly contagious and increased risk of infection due to occupational eISSN (Online): 2598-0580 exposure. 5,6 To fight against the pandemic and avoid virus transmission, HCWs must wear adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), including medical or N95 masks, goggles or face shields, coverall gowns, and gloves and perform frequent handwashing to prevent nosocomial infection as recommended by WHO. 7,8 However, performing hand hygiene frequently and prolonged application of PPE increased pressure, shear, friction, and moisture at the skin interface, leading to stratum corneum breakdown.…”