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. 2021 Apr 15;18(8):4201.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084201.

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

Lorenz Schubert  1 , Robert Strassl  2 , Heinz Burgmann  1 , Gabriella Dvorak  3 , Matthias Karer  1 , Michael Kundi  4 , Manuel Kussmann  1 , Heimo Lagler  1 , Felix Lötsch  1 , Christopher Milacek  1 , Markus Obermueller  1 , Zoe Oesterreicher  1 , Christoph Steininger  1 , Karin Stiasny  5 , Florian Thalhammer  1 , Ludwig Traby  1 , Zoltan Vass  1 , Matthias Gerhard Vossen  1 , Lukas Weseslindtner  5 , Stefan Winkler  1 , Selma Tobudic  1
Affiliations

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

Lorenz Schubert et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

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 (p = 0.003), positively tested family members (p = 0.04), and travel history (p = 0.09) were more frequently reported by positively tested HCWs. Odds for COVID-19 related symptoms were highest for congestion or runny nose (p = 0.002) and altered taste or smell (p < 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.

Keywords: COVID-19; infection prevention and control; occupational health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Highlights all HCW recruited in our study. Triangles highlight unprotected contact, the colour blue highlights a positive test result and a blue triangle demonstrates a positive tested HCW with history for unprotected contact. COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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