Work at inpatient care units is associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; a cross-sectional study of 8679 healthcare workers in Sweden

Abstract

Background

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the protection of healthcare workers has been in focus throughout the world, but the availability and quality of personal protective equipment has at times and in some settings been suboptimal.

Materials and methods

A total of 8679 healthcare workers and healthcare support staff in the county of Uppsala, north of Stockholm, were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were analysed for IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2, and predictors for positive serostatus were analysed in a logistic regression model including demographic parameters and self-reported employment characteristics.

Results

Overall, 577 (6.6%) were classified as seropositive, with no statistically significant differences between healthcare workers and support staff. Among healthcare workers, age (OR 0.987 per year, 95% CI 0.980–0.995), time to sampling (OR 1.019 per day, 95% CI 1.004–1.035), and employment at an outpatient care unit (OR 0.620, 95% CI 0.487–0.788) were statistically significantly associated with risk of infection. Covid-19 specific units were not at particular risk, compared to other units with comparable characteristics and staff demography.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 transmission is related to inpatient healthcare work, and illustrate the need for a high standard of basic hygiene routines in all inpatient care settings.

Keywords:

• Covid-19
• healthcare workers
• IgG
• SARS-CoV-2
• transmission

Acknowledgements

The authors are very thankful to all staff at Uppsala University Hospital involved in sampling, analysis of samples, and data management.

Disclosure statement

None of the authors have any disclosures to report in relation to this study.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Uppsala County Council (ALF grant).

Notes on contributors

Anna-Karin Lidström

Anna-Karin Lidström, MD. Infectious disease specialist at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Fredrik Sund

Fredrik Sund, MD and PhD. Head of Department of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Bo Albinsson

Bo Albinsson, MD, PhD stud. Clinical virology and bacteriology specialist at the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Johan Lindbäck

Johan Lindbäck, PhLic/MSc Mathematical statistics. Biostatistician at Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Gabriel Westman

Gabriel Westman, MD, PhD, and MScEng. Infectious disease specialist at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden and at the Swedish Medical Products Agency, Uppsala, Sweden.