COVID-19 exposure in SARS-CoV-2-seropositive hospital staff members during the first pandemic wave at Strasbourg University Hospital, France - 01/12/21
, Floriane Gallais a, b, Marie-Josée Wendling a, Sophie Bayer c, Nathalie Reix c, Anne Schneider d, Ludovic Glady c, Nicolas Collongues e, Jean-Marc Lessinger c, Yves Hansmann f, Laurence Kling-Pillitteri g, Jérome De Sèze e, Maria Gonzalez g, h, Catherine Schmidt-Mutter e, Nicolas Meyer i, Samira Fafi-Kremer a, b
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Highlights |
• | Among the 1497 healthcare workers (HCWs) enrolled in our study, 515 subjects (34.4%) were seropositive, mainly medical students (13.2%) and assistant nurses (12.0%). |
• | Our results not only support an occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to HCWs from COVID-19 patient contact, but also, and to a similar extent, in their personal spheres, especially concerning household contacts. |
• | We analyzed the extent of systematic adherence to strict hygiene standards among occupationally exposed participants, according to their serological status. |
• | Among the professionally exposed HCWs who reported occasionally (n=39) or never (n=97) wearing a surgical mask: nurses (25.7%), assistant nurses (16.2%), and medical students (11.7%) were predominant. |
• | Concerning COVID-19 professional exposure, it seems imperative to regularly ensure awareness of good practice and to comply with strict hygiene standards (for nurses, assistant nurses, and medical students). |
Abstract |
Objectives |
Strasbourg University Hospital faced an important COVID-19 first wave from early March 2020. We performed a longitudinal prospective cohort study to describe clinical and virological data, exposure history to COVID-19, and adherence to strict hygiene standards during the first pandemic wave in 1497 workers undergoing a SARS-CoV-2 serological test at our hospital, with a follow up of serology result three months later.
Patients and Methods |
A total of 1497 patients were enrolled from April 6 to May 7, 2020. Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 was measured, and COVID-19 exposure routes were analyzed according to SARS-CoV-2 serological status.
Results |
A total of 515 patients (34.4%) were seropositive, mainly medical students (13.2%) and assistant nurses (12.0%). A history of COVID-19 exposure in a professional and/or private setting was mentioned by 83.1% of seropositive subjects (P<0.05; odds ratio [OR]: 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–3.4). COVID-19 exposure factors associated with seropositive status were non-professional exposure (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.7), especially outside the immediate family circle (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2–3.9) and contact with a COVID-19 patient (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.2). Among professionally exposed workers, systematic adherence to strict hygiene standards was well observed, except for the use of a surgical mask (P<0.05, OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.8). Of those who reported occasionally or never wearing a surgical mask, nurses (25.7%), assistant nurses (16.2%), and medical students (11.7%) were predominant.
Conclusion |
Infection of staff members during the first pandemic wave in our hospital occurred after both professional and private COVID-19 exposure, underlining the importance of continuous training in strict hygiene standards.
El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF.Keywords : Healthcare workers, COVID-19 exposure, SARS-CoV-2, Humoral response, Personal protective equipment
Esquema
Bienvenido a EM-consulte, la referencia de los profesionales de la salud.