May 28, 2020

COVID-19 Infections among Healthcare Workers Exposed to a Patient with a Delayed Diagnosis of COVID-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Baker et al. report on a case in which 44 healthcare workers (HCW) were exposed to a single undiagnosed COVID-19 patient over a 13-day period. During this period, the patient stayed in a single room and HCWs did not use contact and droplet precautions. On the 13th day of hospitalization, the patient developed sudden acute respiratory failure and subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after being transferred to the ICU. The authors found that 2 (5%) HCW contacts developed COVID-19, potentially attributable to this exposure. 

Baker et al. (May 27, 2020). COVID-19 Infections among Healthcare Workers Exposed to a Patient with a Delayed Diagnosis of COVID-19. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.256