Prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Post-Quarantine Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 is an emerging highly communicable disease. Nosocomial transmission needs to be prevented through the implementation of stringent screening and infection control measures.

Objective

The objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome– coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among health care workers (HCWs) post quarantine period.

Methods

This is a prospective, observational study conducted at a teaching University hospital in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia, during the period between May 1 and June 15, 2020. All (HCWs) joining work back from the quarantine areas had a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2. The demographic and clinical data from the staff were collected.

Results

Of the 301 HCWs screened, 18 (6%) had positive PCR. The age means of the positive cases was 32.9 Y ± 8.7 compared to 33.8 Y ± 7.0 in the negatively tested group (p value = 0.90). Of the 18 PCR-positive HCWs, 7 (38.9%) were male. Majority of those who tested positive were trainees (8.2%) followed by nurses (5.1%). In PCR-positive group, a clear epidemiological exposure was found in 4/18 cases (22.2%). Male gender and residency in specific districts were observed more in the positive cases (p value = 0.01 and 0.0001, respectively). In regards to symptoms, most of the positive PCR tested HCWs (n=12, 66.7%) remained asymptomatic. Most prevalent initial symptoms were gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain) in six HCWs representing 33.3%. No significant difference was noted in co-morbidities reported by both groups.

Conclusion

Health care workers tested post-quarantine period were found to be at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection despite very minimal or no known risks of exposure, where most of them were asymptomatic. This potentially carries risk of nosocomial transmission inside healthcare facilities. Implanting policies for routine post-quarantine screening for HCWs is recommended.

Keywords:

• COVID‐19
• asymptomatic HCW
• quarantine
• PCR
• SARS-CoV-2
• screening

Data Sharing Statement

The raw data of this study are available from the corresponding author upon justifiable request.

Ethical Considerations

The study followed the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committees and the Helsinki Declaration. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the institutional review board of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Due to the pandemic restrictions, interviewed for data collection was done over the phone where participants were consented and approved participation in the study. Verbal informed consent was obtained and that’s was approved by the local IRB. This study is presented following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). This research was conducted under Biosafety Level 3 conditions.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the routine microbiology laboratory staff at KFHU and the Ministry of Health for supporting this study.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the conception, conduction, analysis and writing of this article. The corresponding author attests that all listed authors meet the authorship criteria and that no others meeting the criteria have been omitted. All authors approved the final revised version of the manuscript and agreed on the journal to which it was submitted and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this study.