Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 11, 2020

Anesthesiologists’ and Intensive Care Providers’ Exposure to COVID-19 Infection in a New York City Academic Center: A Prospective Cohort Study Assessing Symptoms and COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Category:

Topic:

  • Morcuende et al. assessed the incidence of COVID-19-like symptoms and presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among 105 anesthesiologists and affiliated intensive care providers in a large academic hospital in New York City. 58% (61/105) of respondents reporting at least one work-related exposure, of whom only 16 (26%) had post-exposure COVID-19-like symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 12% respondents (11/91) with no difference between those who did and did not report a work-related exposure.  
  • Presence of SARS-CoV-2 appeared to be associated with commuting to work using NYC subway (81% vs. 41%, p=0.027) rather than work-related exposures (54% vs. 56%). The authors note good availability of PPE at this institution. 

Morcuende et al. (June 9, 2020). Anesthesiologists’ and Intensive Care Providers’ Exposure to COVID-19 Infection in a New York City Academic Center: A Prospective Cohort Study Assessing Symptoms and COVID-19 Antibody Testing. Anesthesia and Analgesia. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000005056