Healthcare workers’ SARS-CoV-2 infection rates during the second wave of the pandemic: prospective follow-up study

  1. Anne Mette Würtz
  2. Martin B. Kinnerup
  3. Kirsten Pugdahl
  4. Vivi Schlünssen
  5. Jesper Medom Vestergaard
  6. Kent Nielsen
  7. Christine Cramer
  8. Jens Peter Bonde
  9. Karin Biering
  10. Ole Carstensen
  11. Karoline Kærgaard Hansen
  12. Annett Dalbøge
  13. Esben Meulengracht Flachs
  14. Mette Lausten Hansen
  15. Ane Marie Thulstrup
  16. Else Toft Würtz
  17. Mona Kjærsgaard
  18. Mette Wulf Christensen
  19. Henrik Albert Kolstad
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Abstract

Objectives

To assess if healthcare workers during the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rates following close contact with patients, co-workers and persons outside work with COVID-19.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 5985 healthcare workers from Denmark were followed November 2020 to April 2021 and provided day-by-day information on COVID-19 contacts. SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined by the first positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test ever.

Results

159 positive and 35 996 negative PCR tests were recorded during 514 165 person-days. The SARS-CoV-2 infection rate following close contact with COVID-19 patients 3-7 days earlier was 153.7 per 100,000 person-days corresponding with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 3.17 (40 cases, 95% CI 2.15 - 4.66) compared with no close contact. IRRs following close contact with co-workers and persons outside work with COVID-19 were 2.54 (10 cases, 95% CI 1.30 - 4.96) and 17.79 (35 cases, 95% CI 12.05 - 26.28). The estimates for close contact with COVID-19 patients, co-workers or persons outside work were mutually adjusted.

Conclusions

Despite strong focus on preventive measures during the second wave of the pandemic, healthcare workers were still at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection when in close contact with patients with COVID-19. Among all health care workers, the numbers affected due to close patient contact were comparable to the numbers affected following COVID-19 contact outside work.

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