Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence following the first pandemic wave in UK healthcare workers in a large NHS Foundation Trust

Abstract

BackgroundWe aimed to measure SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore risk factors associated with infection, and investigate the impact of antibody titres on assay sensitivity.MethodsHCWs at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) were prospectively enrolled and sampled at two time points. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were tested using an in-house assay for IgG and IgA reactivity against Spike and Nucleoprotein (sensitivity 99·47%, specificity 99·56%). Data were analysed using three statistical models: a seroprevalence model, an antibody kinetics model, and a heterogeneous sensitivity model.FindingsAs of 12th June 2020, 24·4% (n=311/1275) HCWs were seropositive. Of these, 39·2% (n=122/311) were asymptomatic. The highest adjusted seroprevalence was measured in HCWs on the Acute Medical Unit (41·1%, 95% CrI 30·0–52·9) and in Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists (39·2%, 95% CrI 24·4–56·5). Older age groups showed overall higher median antibody titres. Further modelling suggests that, for a serological assay with an overall sensitivity of 80%, antibody titres may be markedly affected by differences in age, with sensitivity estimates of 89% in those over 60 years but 61% in those ≤30 years.InterpretationHCWs in acute medical units working closely with COVID-19 patients were at highest risk of infection, though whether these are infections acquired from patients or other staff is unknown. Current serological assays may underestimate seroprevalence in younger age groups if validated using sera from older and/or more symptomatic individuals.Research in contextEvidence before this studyWe searched PubMed for studies published up to March 6th 2021, using the terms “COVID”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “seroprevalence”, and “healthcare workers”, and in addition for articles of antibody titres in different age groups against coronaviruses using “coronavirus”, “SARS-CoV-2, “antibody”, “antibody tires”, “COVID” and “age”. We included studies that used serology to estimate prevalence in healthcare workers. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence has been shown to be greater in healthcare workers working on acute medical units or within domestic services. Antibody levels against seasonal coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 were found to be higher in older adults, and patients who were hospitalised.Added value of this studyIn this healthcare worker seroprevalence modelling study at a large NHS foundation trust, we confirm that those working on acute medical units, COVID-19 “Red Zones” and within domestic services are most likely to be seropositive. Furthermore, we show that physiotherapists and occupational therapists have an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. We also confirm that antibody titres are greater in older individuals, even in the context of non-hospitalised cases. Importantly, we demonstrate that this can result in age-specific sensitivity in serological assays, where lower antibody titres in younger individuals results in lower assay sensitivity.Implications of all the available evidenceThere are distinct occupational roles and locations in hospitals where the risk of COVID-19 infection to healthcare workers is greatest, and this knowledge should be used to prioritise infection prevention control and other measures to protect healthcare workers. Serological assays may have different sensitivity profiles across different age groups, especially if assay validation was undertaken using samples from older and/or hospitalised patients, who tend to have higher antibody titres. Future seroprevalence studies should consider adjusting for age-specific assay sensitivities to estimate true seroprevalence rates.Author Contributions

Characterising within-hospital SARS-CoV-2 transmission events: a retrospective analysis integrating epidemiological and viral genomic data from a UK tertiary care setting across two pandemic waves

“…In addition, the importance of asymptomatic transmission was increasingly appreciated and twice weekly lateral flow testing for healthcare workers was introduced in December 2020. Furthermore, seroprevalence rates of over 25% have been reported in HCWs following the first pandemic wave, [26] including in our NHS Trust, [27] which may have contributed to greater protection and reduced transmission in some areas. For example, we have reported that the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in staff working on our acute medical unit by June 2020 was over 40%.…”

“…For example, we have reported that the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in staff working on our acute medical unit by June 2020 was over 40%. [27] This was an area which was a hotspot for transmissions involving staff during our Wave 1 analysis but had very few transmission events identified during Wave 2.…”

The German Translation of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 (SAVE-9) Scale: Results from Healthcare Workers during the Second Wave of COVID-19

“…It has good internal consistency, Cronbach's α = 0.89 [32]. The intensity of anxiety symptoms can be classified as minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), or severe (15-21 points). Depression.…”

“…Healthcare workers (HCW) are at the forefront of dealing with the pandemic; they share in the burdens borne by everyone (e.g., curfews, restrictions in activities), but in addition, face specific stressors due to their profession (e.g., increased risk of infection, increased workload). Even though some researchers did not find evidence that more exposure to COVID-19 patients conferred a higher risk of infection in this group [1][2][3][4][5], there is strong evidence for markedly increased rates of COVID-19 in HCW compared to the general public [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

SARS-CoV-2 infections in “less visible” hospital staff: The roles and safety of environmental services and allied health professionals

“…While physical therapists are particularly in close contact with COVID-19 patients, they are usually underrepresented (if at all considered) in HCW seroprevalence studies [14] , [15] . A large US study supported by the Centers for Disease Control found the highest seroprevalence rates amongst nurse assistants (12.8%) and physical therapists (10.6%; [14] , and a study in the UK described physiotherapists as the group with the second-largest infection risk (39% seropositive), right after ICU staff (41%; [16] .…”