Differential occupational risks to healthcare workers from SARS-CoV-2 observed during a prospective observational study

Journal article

We conducted voluntary Covid-19 testing programmes for symptomatic and asymptomatic staff at a UK teaching hospital using naso-/oro-pharyngeal PCR testing and immunoassays for IgG antibodies. 1128/10,034 (11.2%) staff had evidence of Covid-19 at some time. Using questionnaire data provided on potential risk-factors, staff with a confirmed household contact were at greatest risk (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.82 [95%CI 3.45-6.72]). Higher rates of Covid-19 were seen in staff working in Covid-19-facing areas (22.6% vs. 8.6% elsewhere) (aOR 2.47 [1.99-3.08]). Controlling for Covid-19-facing status, risks were heterogenous across the hospital, with higher rates in acute medicine (1.52 [1.07-2.16]) and sporadic outbreaks in areas with few or no Covid-19 patients. Covid-19 intensive care unit staff were relatively protected (0.44 [0.28-0.69]), likely by a bundle of PPE-related measures. Positive results were more likely in Black (1.66 [1.25-2.21]) and Asian (1.51 [1.28-1.77]) staff, independent of role or working location, and in porters and cleaners (2.06 [1.34-3.15]).

Authors: Eyre, DW; Lumley, SF; O'Donnell, D; Campbell, M; Sims, E

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications
• Journal: eLife
• Volume: 9
• Pages: 1-37
• Article number: e60675
• Place of publication: England
• Publication date: 2020-08-21
• Acceptance date: 2020-08-18
• DOI: 10.7554/elife.60675
• EISSN: 2050-084X
• Pmid: 32820721
• Language: English
• Keywords: Covid-19; SARS-CoV-2; epidemiology and global health; risk factors; FFR; Oxford University Hospitals Staff Testing Group; serology; healthcare workers; symptoms