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. 2023 Mar 22;3(3):e0001746.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001746. eCollection 2023.

Using rapid antigen testing for early, safe return-to-work for healthcare personnel after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthcare system in Pakistan: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Unab Inayat Khan  1 , Syed Faisal Mahmood  2 , Sara Khan  3 , Zahra Hasan  4 , Ahmed Cheema  5 , Asif Hakim  1 , Shehreen Inayat Ali  1
Affiliations

Using rapid antigen testing for early, safe return-to-work for healthcare personnel after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a healthcare system in Pakistan: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Unab Inayat Khan et al. PLOS Glob Public Health. .

Abstract

Anticipating staff shortage during the Omicron variant surge, we modified the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's contingency guidelines at a healthcare system in Pakistan. Infected staff had a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test after 5-7 days of isolation, to decide a safe return-to-work. This led to signifcant cost savings without compromising patient/staff safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Percent positivity from day of symptom onset 1216 HCPs who had rapid antigen test (RAT) for early return-to-work.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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