Faculty Opinions recommendation of Do antibody positive healthcare workers have lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates than antibody negative healthcare workers? Large multi-centre prospective cohort study (the SIREN study), England: June to November 2020.

Author(s):  
Gavin Koh
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Mette Wurtz ◽  
Martin B. Kinnerup ◽  
Kirsten Pugdal ◽  
Vivi Schlunssen ◽  
Jesper Medom Vestergaard ◽  
...  

Objectives: To assess if healthcare workers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates following close contact with patients, co-workers and persons outside work with COVID-19. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Public hospital employees in Denmark. Participants: 5985 healthcare workers (88.6% women) who daily on a smartphone reported COVID-19 contact. Main outcome measures: SARS-CoV-2 infection rates defined by the first positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test recorded in a register with complete test coverage. Results: 159 positive and 35 996 negative PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 were recorded during 514 165 person-days of follow-up November 25, 2020 - April 30, 2021. The SARS-CoV-2 infection rate for healthcare workers who during the previous 3-7 days had close contact with COVID-19 patients was 153.7 per 100 000 person-days (0.15% per day) corresponding with an incidence rate ratio of 3.17 (40 cases, 95% CI 2.15 to 4.66) when compared with no close contact with COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 incidence rate ratios following close contact with co-workers and persons outside work with COVID-19 were 2.54 (10 cases, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.96) and 17.79 (35 cases, 95% CI 12.05 to 26.28). These estimates were mutually adjusted and further adjusted for age, sex, month and number of previous PCR tests. Conclusions: Despite strong focus on preventive actions during the second wave of the pandemic, healthcare workers were still at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection when in close contact with patients with COVID-19. The numbers affected were comparable to the numbers affected following COVID-19 contact outside work. Close contact with co-workers was also a risk factor. This stresses the need for increased focus on preventive actions to secure healthcare workers' health during ongoing and future waves of SARS-CoV-2 and other infections.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103724
Author(s):  
Yorck Olaf Schumacher ◽  
Montassar Tabben ◽  
Khalid Hassoun ◽  
Asmaa Al Marwani ◽  
Ibrahim Al Hussein ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe risk of viral transmission associated with contact sports such as football (soccer) during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the infective and immune status of professional football players, team staff and league officials over a truncated football season resumed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in a country with high infection rates and to investigate the clinical symptoms related to COVID-19 infection in professional football players.MethodsProspective cohort study of 1337 football players, staff and officials during a truncated football season (9 weeks) with a tailored infection control programme based on preventive measures and regular SARS-CoV-2 PCR swab testing (every 3–5 days) combined with serology testing for immunity (every 4 weeks). Clinical symptoms in positive participants were recorded using a 26-item, Likert-Scale-based scoring system.ResultsDuring the study period, 85 subjects returned positive (cycle threshold (cT) ≤30) or reactive (30<cT<40) PCR tests, of which 36 were players. The infection rate was consistent with that of the general population during the same time period. More than half of infected subjects were asymptomatic, and the remaining had only mild symptoms with no one requiring hospitalisation. Symptom severity was associated with lower cT values. Social contacts and family were the most common sources of infection, and no infection could be traced to training or matches. Of the 36 infected players, 15 presented positive serology during the study period.ConclusionFootball played outdoors involving close contact between athletes represents a limited risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe illness when preventive measures are in place.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara C. Bouton ◽  
Sara Lodi ◽  
Jacquelyn Turcinovic ◽  
Sarah E. Weber ◽  
Emily Quinn ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 vaccine trials and post-implementation data suggest vaccination decreases SARS-CoV-2 infections. We examine COVID-19 vaccination’s impact on SARS-CoV-2 case rates and viral diversity among healthcare workers (HCW) during a high community prevalence period.MethodsA prospective cohort study from Boston Medical Center (BMC)’s HCW vaccination program, where staff received two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273. We included PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases among HCWs from December 09, 2020 to February 23, 2021. Weekly SARS-CoV-2 rates per 100,000 person-day overall and by time from first injection (1-14 and >14 days) were compared with surrounding community rates. Viral genomes were sequenced from SARS CoV-2 positive samples.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 cases occurred in 1.4% (96/7109) of HCWs given at least a first dose and 0.3% (17/5913) of HCWs given both vaccine doses. Adjusted SARS-CoV-2 infection rate ratios were 0.73 (95% CI 0.53-1.00) 1-14 days and 0.18 (0.10-0.32) >14 days from first dose. HCW SARS-CoV-2 cases >14 days from initial dose compared to within 14 days were more often older (46 versus 38 years, p=0.007), Latinx (10% versus 8%, p=0.03), and asymptomatic (48% versus 11%, p=0.0002). SARS-CoV-2 rates among HCWs fell below those of the surrounding community, with a 18% versus 11% weekly decrease respectively (p=0.14). Comparison of 48 SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced from post-first dose cases did not indicate selection pressure towards known spike-antibody escape mutations.ConclusionsOur results indicate a positive impact of COVID-19 vaccines on SARS-CoV-2 case rates. Post-vaccination isolates did not show unusual genetic diversity or selection for mutations of concern.Main PointCases of SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers dropped rapidly with COVID-19 vaccination. Sequencing 48 breakthrough infections (overwhelmingly in 14 days after 1st dose) showed no clear sign of any differences in spike protein compared with time-matched, unvaccinated control sequences.


Author(s):  
Akshay Rao ◽  
Sundar Kumar Veluswamy ◽  
Banashankari Gunjiganur Shankarappa ◽  
Rithika Manjunatha Reddy ◽  
Nethravathi Umesh ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yorck Olaf Schumacher ◽  
Montassar Tabben ◽  
Khalid Hassoun ◽  
Asmaa Al Marwani ◽  
Ibrahim Al Hussain ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThe risk of viral transmission associated with contact sports such as football (soccer) during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the infective and immune status of professional football players, team staff and league officials over a truncated football season resumed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in a country with high infection rates and to investigate the clinical symptoms related to COVID-19 infection in professional football players.MethodsProspective cohort study of 1337 football players, staff and officials during a truncated football season (9 weeks) with a tailored infection control program based on preventive measures and regular SARS-CoV-2 PCR swab testing (every 3-5 days) combined with serology testing for immunity (every 4 weeks). Clinical symptoms in positive participants were recorded using a 26-item, Likert-scale-based scoring system.ResultsDuring the study period, 85 subjects returned positive (cycle threshold (cT)≤30) or reactive (30<cT<40) PCR tests, of which 36 were players. The infection rate was consistent with that of the general population during the same time period. More than half of infected subjects were asymptomatic, and the remaining had only mild symptoms with no one requiring hospitalization. Symptom severity was associated with lower cT values. Social contacts and family were the most common sources of infection, and no infection could be traced to training or matches. Of the 36 infected players, 15 presented positive serology during the study period.ConclusionFootball played outdoors involving close contact between athletes represents a limited risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe illness when preventive measures are in place.


Author(s):  
Thomas Bénet ◽  
Sélilah Amour ◽  
Martine Valette ◽  
Mitra Saadatian-Elahi ◽  
Ludwig Serge Aho-Glélé ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Influenza is an important cause of viral hospital-acquired infection involving patients, healthcare workers (HCW), and visitors. The frequency of asymptomatic influenza among HCW with possible subsequent transmission is poorly described. The objective is to determine the cumulative incidence of asymptomatic, paucisymptomatic, and symptomatic influenza among HCW. Method A multicenter prospective cohort study was done in 5 French university hospitals, including 289 HCW during the 2016–2017 influenza season. HCW had 3 physical examinations (time [T] 0, before epidemic onset; T.1, before epidemic peak; T.2, T.3, after epidemic peak). A blood sample was taken each time for influenza serology and a nasal swab was collected at T1 and T2 for influenza detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive influenza was defined as either a positive influenza PCR, and/or virus-specific seroconversion against influenza A, the only circulating virus, with no vaccination record during follow-up. Symptoms were self-reported daily between T1 and T2. Cumulative incidence of influenza was stratified by clinical presentation per 100 HCW. Results Of the 289 HCW included, 278 (96%) completed the entire follow-up. Overall, 62 HCW had evidence of influenza of whom 46.8% were asymptomatic, 41.9% were paucisymptomatic, and 11.3% were symptomatic. Cumulative influenza incidence was 22.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.4%–27.2%). Cumulative incidence of asymptomatic influenza was 5.8% (95% CI: 3.3%–9.2%), 13.7% (95% CI: 9.9%–18.2%) for paucisymptomatic influenza, and 2.9% (95% CI: 1.3%–5.5%) for symptomatic influenza. Conclusions Asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic influenza were frequent among HCW, representing 47% and 42% of the influenza burden, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of systematic implementation of infection control measures among HCW regardless of respiratory symptoms from preventing nosocomial transmission of influenza. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02868658.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle Gram Quist ◽  
Birthe L Thomsen ◽  
Ulla Christensen ◽  
Thomas Clausen ◽  
Andreas Holtermann ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document