Asymptomatic Cases and Limited Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Residents and Healthcare Workers in Three Dutch Nursing Homes

• Published in: Gerontology and geriatric medicine 2020, Vol.6, p.2333721420982800-2333721420982800
• Main Authors: van Buul, Laura W., van den Besselaar, Judith H., Koene, Fleur M. H. P. H., Buurman, Bianca M., Hertogh, Cees M. P. M., Smalbrugge, Martin, Rutten, Jeanine J. S., den Boogert, Elke M., Wissing, Michel D., Rietveld, Ariene, van Elsakker, Mariska W. W., Nonneman, Marga M. G., van Eeden, Florien, van de Merwe, Saskia, Niemansburg, Sophie L., Fanoy, Ewout, Bootsma, Hinke S., van der Hagen, Nicoline, Petrignani, Mariska, van Muijen, Jessica Edwards, Biesheuvel, Karolien E. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymptomatic; Brief Report; Medical personnel; Nursing homes; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Workers
• ISSN: 2333-7214; 2333-7214
• DOI: 10.1177/2333721420982800

We aimed to assess the contribution of a- and presymptomatic residents and healthcare workers in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes. We conducted two serial point-prevalence surveys, including standardized symptom assessment and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal testing for SARS-CoV-2, among 297 residents and 542 healthcare workers of three Dutch nursing homes (NHs) with recent SARS-CoV-2 introduction. At the first point-prevalence survey, 15 residents tested positive of which one was presymptomatic and three remained asymptomatic. At the second point-prevalence survey one resident and one healthcare worker tested SARS-CoV-2 positive and both remained asymptomatic. Although a limited number of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were identified, this study confirms a- and presymptomatic occurrence of Covid-19. We additionally describe factors that may contribute to the prevention of transmission. Taken together, our study complements the discussion on effective SARS-CoV-2 screening in NHs.