November 6, 2020

COVID-19 Seropositivity and Asymptomatic Rates in Healthcare Workers Are Associated with Job Function and Masking.

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

Keywords (Tags): health care setting

• A study of frontline healthcare workers in Michigan found that having direct contact with patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 increased the likelihood of seropositivity but masks were protective. Of those who reported direct contact with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, seropositivity rates were 10% with an N95 mask, 13% with surgical mask, and 18% with no mask. Among the 1,818 participants (9% of the total population) who were seropositive between April 13 and May 28, 2020, 44% reported that they were asymptomatic during the month prior to blood collection. Participants in roles such as phlebotomy, respiratory therapy, and nursing/nursing support had a significantly higher likelihood of being seropositive.

Sims et al. (Nov 5, 2020). COVID-19 Seropositivity and Asymptomatic Rates in Healthcare Workers Are Associated with Job Function and Masking. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1684