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. 2021 Mar 24;18(7):3343.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073343.

High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers in a North Italy Hospital

Chiara Airoldi  1 , Filippo Patrucco  2 , Fulvia Milano  2 , Daniela Alessi  2 , Andrea Sarro  1 , Maicol Andrea Rossi  2 , Tiziana Cena  2 , Silvio Borrè  2 , Fabrizio Faggiano  1   2
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High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Healthcare Workers in a North Italy Hospital

Chiara Airoldi et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been the key players in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of our study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG anti-bodies.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among workers of two hospitals and Territorial Medical and Administrative services in Northern Italy. From 8 May to 3 June 2020, 2252 subjects were tested. Seroprevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for all individuals who were stratified by job title, COVID-19 risk of exposure, direct contact with patients, unit ward, and intensity of care.

Results: Median age was 50 years, and 72% of subjects were female. The overall seroprevalence was 17.11% [95% CI 15.55-18.67]. Around 20% of healthcare assistants were seropositive, followed by physicians and nurses (16.89% and 15.84%, respectively). HCWs with high risk of exposure to COVID-19 were more frequently seropositive (28.52%) with respect to those with medium and low risks (16.71% and 12.76%, respectively). Moreover, personnel in direct contact had higher prevalence (18.32%) compared to those who did not (10.66%). Furthermore, the IgG were more frequently detected among personnel of one hospital (19.43%).

Conclusion: The high seroprevalence observed can be partially explained by the timing and the population seroprevalence; the study was conducted in an area with huge spread of the infection.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; healthcare workers; seroprevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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