SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Healthcare Workers in General Hospitals and Clinics in Japan

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious public health problem worldwide. In general, healthcare workers are considered to be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. However, the prevalence of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Japan is not well characterized. In this study, we aimed to examine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among 2160 healthcare workers in hospitals and clinics that are not designated to treat COVID-19 patients in Japan. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G was 1.2% in August and October 2020 (during and after the second wave of the pandemic in Japan), which is relatively higher than that in the general population in Japan (0.03–0.91%). Because of the higher risk of COVID-19 infection, healthcare workers should be the top priority for further social support and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

Serology suggests adequate safety measures to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 in Shiga Prefecture, Japan

“…In addition, HCWs' seroprevalence in the Shiga Prefecture wasn't so higher than that of another prefecture's hospital workers (1�1%) in the same time frame of February to April 2021 [24]. In Japan, previous investigations had reported that the seroprevalence was higher in HCWs [2,3], and the data may have misled the local communities into recognizing the HCWs and their relatives as being significantly dirty or risky. However, at least in Shiga Prefecture, occupational infections from SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare settings weren't so higher than those of the generals, and we believe that HCWs should not be considered against as significantly risky or dirty by local communities.…”

“…Regardless of such efforts, HCWs, especially frontline workers designated for COVID-19 areas, named the red zone areas, have been considered to be at increased risk of the disease, owing to their occupational exposure to infected patients. In Japan, the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported to be relatively higher in HCWs [2,3]. Because of these, the HCWs and their relatives have often been considered against as being dirty or risky according to the Japanese local communities.…”

Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare workers in Shiga Prefecture, Japan

“…Nevertheless, HCWs have been considered to be at an increased risk of the disease, owing to their occupational exposure to infected patients. In Japan, the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among HCWs was reported to be relatively high 1 , 2 . Hence, HCWs and their relatives have often been considered carriers of the disease and discriminated against by the Japanese local communities due to fear of contracting the disease.…”