In-depth profiling of COVID-19 risk factors and preventive measures in healthcare workers

Abstract

Purpose To determine risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare workers (HCWs), characterize symptoms, and evaluate preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 spread in hospitals. Methods In a cross-sectional study conducted between May 27 and August 12, 2020, after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we obtained serological, epidemiological, occupational as well as COVID-19-related data at a quaternary care, multicenter hospital in Munich, Germany. Results 7554 HCWs participated, 2.2% of whom tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Multivariate analysis revealed increased COVID-19 risk for nurses (3.1% seropositivity, 95% CI 2.5–3.9%, p = 0.012), staff working on COVID-19 units (4.6% seropositivity, 95% CI 3.2–6.5%, p = 0.032), males (2.4% seropositivity, 95% CI 1.8–3.2%, p = 0.019), and HCWs reporting high-risk exposures to infected patients (5.5% seropositivity, 95% CI 4.0–7.5%, p = 0.0022) or outside of work (12.0% seropositivity, 95% CI 8.0–17.4%, p < 0.0001). Smoking was a protective factor (1.1% seropositivity, 95% CI 0.7–1.8% p = 0.00018) and the symptom taste disorder was strongly associated with COVID-19 (29.8% seropositivity, 95% CI 24.3–35.8%, p < 0.0001). An unbiased decision tree identified subgroups with different risk profiles. Working from home as a preventive measure did not protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. A PCR-testing strategy focused on symptoms and high-risk exposures detected all larger COVID-19 outbreaks. Conclusion Awareness of the identified COVID-19 risk factors and successful surveillance strategies are key to protecting HCWs against SARS-CoV-2, especially in settings with limited vaccination capacities or reduced vaccine efficacy.

COVID-19 management at one of the largest hospitals in Germany: Concept, evaluation and adaptation

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Efficacy and safety of sonographer discretion to terminate a venous duplex ultrasound for diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in coronavirus disease 2019 patients

“…Previous studies have demonstrated workplace exposure to be a risk for COVID-19 transmission among healthcare workers and patients 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 . While there are no specific prior articles evaluating the risks of COVID-19 exposure in sonographers, it has been demonstrated that there is an increased risk for transmission for nurses, staff working on COVID units, and those who have high risk exposures 27 .…”

Seroprevalence in health care workers during the later phase of the second wave: Results of three hospitals in Serbia, prior to vaccine administration

“…Nurses, particularly those in the intensive care units, are at the highest risk for COVID-19 infections among all HCWs [40] , [41] . Contrary to these findings, we found a higher estimated risk for infections among physicians.…”