Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 28, 2020

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Asymptomatic Health Care Workers in the Greater Houston, Texas, Area

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  • A surveillance program among asymptomatic clinical and nonclinical workers at Houston Methodist (an academic medical center with 7 community hospitals), and expanded to asymptomatic community residents, found that out of 2,872 participants (March 11 to April 19) 4% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, with all of the positive results being in clinical healthcare workers. Among clinical healthcare workers, prevalence was 5% (95% CI 4.5-6.5%) among those from COVID-19 units versus 0.6% (95% CI 0.2-1.7%) from non-COVID units.  

Vahidy et al. (July 2020). Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Asymptomatic Health Care Workers in the Greater Houston, Texas, Area. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.16451