A Longitudinal Seroprevalence Study Evaluating Infection Control and Prevention Strategies at a Large Tertiary Care Center with Low COVID-19 Incidence

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2021-04, Vol.18 (8), p.4201
• Main Authors: Schubert, Lorenz, Strassl, Robert, Burgmann, Heinz, Dvorak, Gabriella, Karer, Matthias, Kundi, Michael, Kussmann, Manuel, Lagler, Heimo, Lötsch, Felix, Milacek, Christopher, Obermueller, Markus, Oesterreicher, Zoe, Steininger, Christoph, Stiasny, Karin, Thalhammer, Florian, Traby, Ludwig, Vass, Zoltan, Vossen, Matthias Gerhard, Weseslindtner, Lukas, Winkler, Stefan, Tobudic, Selma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies; Architects; Asymptomatic; Austria; Chemiluminescence; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease control; Disease transmission; Disinfection; Epidemics; Evaluation; Exposure; Health care; Health Personnel; Hospitals; Humans; Incidence; Infection Control; Infections; Laboratories; Medical personnel; Neutralization; Nosocomial infection; Nurses; Occupational exposure; Olfaction; Patients; Personal protective equipment; Physicians; Prevention; Prospective Studies; Protective equipment; Questionnaires; Risk factors; SARS-CoV-2; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Signs and symptoms; Smell; Tertiary Care Centers; Travel; Working conditions
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084201

Personal protective equipment and adherence to disinfection protocols are essential to prevent nosocomial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Here, we evaluated infection control measures in a prospective longitudinal single-center study at the Vienna General Hospital, the biggest tertiary care center in Austria, with a structurally planned low SARS-CoV-2 exposure. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were assessed by Abbott ARCHITECT chemiluminescent assay (CLIA) in 599 health care workers (HCWs) at the start of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in early April and two months later. Neutralization assay confirmed CLIA-positive samples. A structured questionnaire was completed at both visits assessing demographic parameters, family situation, travel history, occupational coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure, and personal protective equipment handling. At the first visit, 6 of 599 participants (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. The seroprevalence increased to 1.5% (8/553) at the second visit and did not differ depending on the working environment. Unprotected SARS-CoV-2 exposure ( = 0.003), positively tested family members ( = 0.04), and travel history ( = 0.09) were more frequently reported by positively tested HCWs. Odds for COVID-19 related symptoms were highest for congestion or runny nose ( = 0.002) and altered taste or smell ( < 0.001). In conclusion, prevention strategies proved feasible in reducing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients and among HCWs in a low incidence hospital, not exceeding the one described in the general population.