SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in England following the first peak of the pandemic

AbstractEngland has experienced a large outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, disproportionately affecting people from disadvantaged and ethnic minority communities. It is unclear how much of this excess is due to differences in exposure associated with structural inequalities. Here, we report from the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-2 (REACT-2) national study of over 100,000 people. After adjusting for test characteristics and re-weighting to the population, overall antibody prevalence is 6.0% (95% CI: 5.8-6.1). An estimated 3.4 million people had developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 by mid-July 2020. Prevalence is two- to three-fold higher among health and care workers compared with non-essential workers, and in people of Black or South Asian than white ethnicity, while age- and sex-specific infection fatality ratios are similar across ethnicities. Our results indicate that higher hospitalisation and mortality from COVID-19 in minority ethnic groups may reflect higher rates of infection rather than differential experience of disease or care.

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SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Positivity and Antibody Prevalence among Asymptomatic Hospital-Based Health Care Workers

Journal of Clinical Virology ◽

10.1016/j.jcv.2021.104794 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104794

Author(s):

Christine C. Johnson ◽

Chad M. Coleman ◽

Alexandra R. Sitarik ◽

Joyce E. Leon ◽

Robert J. Tibbetts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Care Workers

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Workplace Violence in the Health Sector in Turkey: A National Study

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260515591976 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (15) ◽

pp. 2345-2365 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Tevfik Pinar ◽

Cengizhan Acikel ◽

Gul Pinar ◽

Erdem Karabulut ◽

Meral Saygun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Workplace Violence ◽

World Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

National Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

International Labor Organization ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Violence in the workplace is an increasing occupational health concern worldwide. Health care workers are at high risk of assault. To develop, monitor, and manage prevention policies, baseline data should be available. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the current extent of workplace violence nationwide in Turkey. The study population of 12.944 health care workers was a stratified sample of all health care workers (612,639) in the country. A probabilistic sampling was made on the basis of the “multistage stratified random cluster sampling method.” This study was conducted by a structured questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. The questionnaire items were adapted and translated into Turkish based on questionnaires of International Labor Organization, International Council of Nurses, World Health Organization, and Public Services International. The percentage of health care workers who experienced workplace violence in Turkey in the previous 12 months was 44.7%. The types of violence included physical 6.8%, verbal 43.2%, mobbing (bullying) 2.4%, and sexual harassment 1%. Multivariate analysis showed that level of health care system, type of institution, gender, occupation, age, working hours, and shift work were independent risk factors for experiencing workplace violence ( p < .05). Our study indicates that the workplace violence among health care workers is a significant problem. The results of the study can serve as the basis for future analytical studies and for development of appropriate prevention efforts.

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Large variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among essential workers in Geneva, Switzerland

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-23796-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Stringhini ◽

María-Eugenia Zaballa ◽

Nick Pullen ◽

Carlos de Mestral ◽

Javier Perez-Saez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Public Administration ◽

Work Study ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Limited Data ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Seropositivity Rate ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Media

AbstractLimited data exist on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates across sectors and occupations, hindering our ability to make rational policy, including vaccination prioritization, to protect workers and limit SARS-CoV-2 spread. Here, we present results from our SEROCoV-WORK + study, a serosurvey of workers recruited after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland. We tested workers (May 18—September 18, 2020) from 16 sectors and 32 occupations for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Of 10,513 participants, 1026 (9.8%) tested positive. The seropositivity rate ranged from 4.2% in the media sector to 14.3% in the nursing home sector. We found considerable within-sector variability: nursing home (0%–31.4%), homecare (3.9%–12.6%), healthcare (0%–23.5%), public administration (2.6%–24.6%), and public security (0%–16.7%). Seropositivity rates also varied across occupations, from 15.0% among kitchen staff and 14.4% among nurses, to 5.4% among domestic care workers and 2.8% among journalists. Our findings show that seropositivity rates varied widely across sectors, between facilities within sectors, and across occupations, reflecting a higher exposure in certain sectors and occupations.

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Serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 following non-hospitalised infection: clinical and ethnodemographic features associated with the magnitude of the antibody response

10.1101/2020.11.12.20230763 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adrian M Shields ◽

Sian E Faustini ◽

Marisol Perez-Toledo ◽

Sian Jossi ◽

Joel D Allen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibody Response ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Antibody Detection ◽

Spike Glycoprotein ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

White Ethnicity ◽

Moderate Disease ◽

Care Workers

AbstractObjectiveTo determine clinical and ethnodemographic correlates of serological responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein following mild-to-moderate COVID-19.DesignA retrospective cohort study of healthcare workers who had self-isolated due to COVID-19.SettingUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK (UHBFT).Participants956 health care workers were recruited by open invitation via UHBFT trust email and social media.InterventionParticipants volunteered a venous blood sample that was tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antibodies. Results were interpreted in the context of the symptoms of their original illness and ethnodemographic variables.ResultsUsing an assay that simultaneously measures the combined IgG, IgA and IgM response against the spike glycoprotein (IgGAM), the overall seroprevalence within this cohort was 46.2% (n=442/956). The seroprevalence of immunoglobulin isotypes was 36.3%, 18.7% and 8.1% for IgG, IgA and IgM respectively. IgGAM identified serological responses in 40.6% (n=52/128) of symptomatic individuals who reported a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Increasing age, non-white ethnicity and obesity were independently associated with greater IgG antibody response against the spike glycoprotein. Self-reported fever and fatigue were associated with greater IgG and IgA responses against the spike glycoprotein. The combination of fever and/or cough and/or anosmia had a positive predictive value of 92.3% for seropositivity.Conclusions and relevanceAssays employing combined antibody detection demonstrate enhanced seroepidemiological sensitivity and can detect prior viral exposure even when PCR swabs have been negative. We demonstrate an association between known ethnodemographic risk factors associated with mortality from COVID-19 and the magnitude of serological responses in mild-to-moderate disease. The combination of cough, and/or fever and/or anosmia identifies the majority of individuals who should self-isolate for COVID-19.

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COVID-19: An International Public Health Concern

Central Asian Journal of Global Health ◽

10.5195/cajgh.2020.466 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Israel Oluwasegun Ayenigbara

Keyword(s):

Health Care Workers ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Health Concern ◽

African Countries ◽

Care Workers ◽

Positive Sense ◽

Community Transmission

This review presents a synopsis on the current COVID-19 pandemic, with focus on preventive measures. COVID-19 is a new viral infection, and is in form of a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA Coronavirus which belongs to an expanded group of viruses which were identified six decades ago. Importantly, the new COVID-19 belongs to the group of SARS-CoV, and it originated in bats but infected humans through smuggled pangolins. At first, the mode of transmission of infection was animal-to-person, but person-to-person and community transmission of the virus has been confirmed in many parts of the world. With an incubation period of between two-fourteen days, signs and symptoms of infection are mild to high respiratory illness; characterized with cough, breathing problems (shortness of breath), high temperature (Fever), tiredness (Fatigue) and nausea. Presently, no vaccines or specific treatment is available for COVID-19, in light of the aforementioned; prevention is the only substantial and less expensive option. With the envisaged explosive community transmission of COVID-19 in the coming weeks in places with limited daily testing, especially in African countries, it is recommended among many that social distancing which includes avoiding any form of contact with people; either through greetings, hugging or shaking of hands and large gatherings, avoid contact with animal items, dead or alive animals, sick and dead people from areas experiencing COVID-19 epidemic, and basic hygienic practices like thorough washing of hands with clean water and antiseptic soap for the duration of at least twenty seconds should be practiced always. However, in the absence of the aforementioned, an alcohol-based hand gel should be used on the hands frequently. Furthermore, health care workers should adhere strictly to the standard preventive measures in areas of heightened COVID-19 epidemic.

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Prevalence and Longevity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Among Health Care Workers

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Michael Brant-Zawadzki ◽

Deborah Fridman ◽

Philip A Robinson ◽

Matthew Zahn ◽

Clayton Chau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

First Responders ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Significant Discrepancy ◽

Process Measures ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background Understanding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody prevalence in a spectrum of health care workers (HCWs) may provide benchmarks of susceptibility, help us understand risk stratification, and support enactment of better health policies and procedures. Methods Blood serum was sampled at enrollment and 8-week follow-up from HCWs (n = 3458) and from community first responders (n = 226) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) analyses. Demographics, job duties, location, and coronavirus disease 2019–related information were collected. Results The observed IgG antibody prevalence was 0.93% and 2.58% at enrollment (May/June) and 8-week follow-up (July/August), respectively, for HCWs, and 5.31% and 4.35% for first responders. For HCWs, significant differences (P < .05) between negative and positive at initial assessment were found for age, race, fever, and loss of smell, and at 8-week follow-up for age, race, and all symptoms. Antibody positivity persisted at least 8 weeks in all positive HCWs. Conclusions We found considerably lower antibody prevalence among HCWs compared with other published studies. While rigorous safety process measures instituted in our workplace and heightened awareness at and outside of the workplace among our HCWs may have contributed to our findings, the significant discrepancy from our community prevalence warrants further studies on other contributing factors.

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Community factors and excess mortality in first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

10.1101/2020.11.19.20234849 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bethan Davies ◽

Brandon L Parkes ◽

James Bennett ◽

Daniela Fecht ◽

Marta Blangiardo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Excess Mortality ◽

Community Level ◽

Community Factors ◽

White Ethnicity ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Minority Ethnic Groups ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Industrialised Countries ◽

Geocoded Data ◽

Inequalities In Mortality

Risk factors for increased risk of death from Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) have been identified1,2 but less is known on characteristics that make communities resilient or vulnerable to the mortality impacts of the pandemic. We applied a two-stage Bayesian spatial model to quantify inequalities in excess mortality at the community level during the first wave of the pandemic in England. We used geocoded data on all deaths in people aged 40 years and older during March-May 2020 compared with 2015-2019 in 6,791 local communities. Here we show that communities with an increased risk of excess mortality had a high density of care homes, and/or high proportion of residents on income support, living in overcrowded homes and/or high percent of people with a non-White ethnicity (including Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups). Conversely, after accounting for other community characteristics, we found no association between population density or air pollution and excess mortality. Overall, the social and environmental variables accounted for around 15% of the variation in mortality at community level. Effective and timely public health and healthcare measures that target the communities at greatest risk are urgently needed if England and other industrialised countries are to avoid further widening of inequalities in mortality patterns during the second wave.

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SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Prevalence in Health Care Workers of Lodi Hospital, the COVID-19 Italian Epicentre

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3650227 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alessandro Baracco ◽

Gabriele Mario Perotti ◽

Andrea Filippin ◽

Adriano Anesi ◽

Vittorio Beccarini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Care Workers

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The Impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Exposes the Inequalities and Inequities on Marginalized Communities

Social Science, Humanities and Sustainability Research ◽

10.22158/sshsr.v1n1p94 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. p94

Author(s):

Fred Bedell, EdD

Keyword(s):

Work Force ◽

The United States ◽

Timely Manner ◽

Minority Communities ◽

Social Fabric ◽

Marginalized Communities ◽

Care Workers ◽

The World ◽

Political Economic ◽

The Impact

This essay speaks to the inequalities and inequities that have had a major impact on the political, economic and social fabric of the world in general and the United States in particular.These disparities and inequities came to the forefront in the world and our country as a consequence of the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.The pandemic exposed the inefficiencies in our government and its institutions that were unable to abate the pandemic in a timely manner. These inefficiencies resulted in many citizens becoming ill and tragically it was reported there were over 100,000 deaths and rising at the time of this writing. Minorities were affected more than non-minority communities. The pandemic also highlighted the nation’s dependence on the work force that keeps the country safe and supplies the food and products that keep the economy going. First responders, health care workers and employees in the food supply chain became essential workers and were branded as heroes,” God bless them”. It is my hope that this essay will share some issues and circumstances that are not normally found in political discourse.

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