Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated disease (COVID-19) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality across the United States. Internal medicine (IM) residents are a critical component of the healthcare workforce yet their seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is largely unknown. The aim of this research was to ascertain the seroprevalences of SARS-CoV-2 among internal medicine residents during the first peak of COVID-19.
Methods: IM residents were enrolled in a surveillance program that included PCR and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 in June 2020. Residents also completed a short questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic information and characterize potential workplace exposure to COVID-19.
Results: A total of 101 IM residents participated in the study (out of N=162). Of the 101 samples, three (2.9%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. No residents tested PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Discussion: The implementation of COVID-19 patient cohorting and the incorporation of telemedicine to communicate with hospitalized patients into clinical practice early in the pandemic may have prevented the spread of the virus among the surveyed clinical trainees.
Conclusion: Despite significant engagement with COVID-19 patients, IM residents demonstrated a low rate of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; internal medicine residents; seroprevalence.