Seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 Antibodies in Scottish Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare workers are believed to be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The extent of that increased risk compared to the general population and the groups most at risk have not been extensively studied. Methods: A prospective observational study of health and social care workers in NHS Tayside (Scotland, UK) from May to September 2020. The Siemens SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay was used to establish seroprevalence in this cohort. Patients provided clinical information including demographics and workplace information. Controls, matched for age and sex to the general Tayside population, were studied for comparison. Results: A total of 2062 health and social care workers were recruited for this study. The participants were predominantly female (81.7%) and 95.2% were white. 299 healthcare workers had a positive antibody test (14.5%). 11 out of 231 control sera tested positive (4.8%). Healthcare workers therefore had an increased likelihood of a positive test (odds ratio 3.4 95% CI 1.85-6.16, p<0.0001). Dentists, healthcare assistants and porters were the job roles most likely to test positive. Those working in front-line roles with COVID-19 patients were more likely to test positive (17.4% vs. 13.4%, p=0.02). 97.1% of patients who had previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR had positive antibodies, compared to 11.8% of individuals with a symptomatic illness who had tested negative. Anosmia was the symptom most associated with the presence of detectable antibodies. Conclusion: In this study, healthcare workers were three times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 than the general population. The seroprevalence data in different populations identified in this study will be useful to protect healthcare staff during future waves of the pandemic.

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“…5 In Scotland, hospital HCWs had a 3.4 times higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than age-and sex-matched controls of general population (14.5% vs 4.8%). 20 In Wuhan, the attack rates among HCWs were 5.4 times higher than among non-HCWs. 21 Overall, 30% of other household members developed COVID-19-compatible symptoms, highly suggestive of COVID-19 given their epidemiological link with a laboratoryconfirmed case.…”

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“…In this study, the seroprevalence of SAR-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among healthcare workers was 1.2% in August and October 2020. It has been reported that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers was higher than that in the general population (2,4). Our study also demonstrated that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was relatively higher in healthcare workers than in the general population in Japan.…”

Genetic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in renal dialysis units – A high risk community-hospital interface

“…There is also mounting evidence that HCWs have a higher seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than the general population, with a high proportion being asymptomatic. 27 , 28 …”