Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

August 19, 2020

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Community Health Workers in India Before and After Use of Face Shields

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  • After the addition of face shields as personal protective equipment, there were no reported infections among the 50 community health workers (CHWs) in India assigned to counsel asymptomatic family contacts of patients who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at their homes. Before implementing face shields, 62 CHWs visited 5,880 homes with 31,164 persons, among whom 222 persons tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (May 4 to May 13). During this period, 12 CHWs were infected, 8 developed symptoms, and 4 were asymptomatic. After implementing face shields, 50 previously uninfected CHWs continued to provide counseling, visiting 18,228 homes. Among those counseled (n=118,428), 2,682 subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while no CHWs developed asymptomatic or symptomatic infection. 

Bhaskar and Arun. (Aug 17, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Community Health Workers in India Before and After Use of Face Shields. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.15586