Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

November 18, 2020

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Previously Undiagnosed Health Care Workers in New Jersey, at the Onset of the U.S. COVID-19 Pandemic

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In the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-ICU healthcare workers had higher rates of SARS-CoV2 when compared to the general population. A cross-sectional study conducted in a university and two affiliated university hospitals in New Jersey found that healthcare workers had a higher rate of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity when compared to non-healthcare workers (40/546 [7.3%] vs. 1/283 [0.4%]). Among healthcare workers, nurses had a higher likelihood evidence of infection compared physicians and those who reported recently caring for 5 or more patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (vs. caring for less patients) had a higher likelihood of infection. ICU workers had lower rates than those working in other units (2% vs. 5-10%).

Barrett et al. (Nov 16, 2020). Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Previously Undiagnosed Health Care Workers in New Jersey, at the Onset of the U.S. COVID-19 Pandemic. BMC Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05587-2