The first wave of COVID-19 in hospital staff members of a tertiary care hospital in the greater Paris area: A surveillance and risk factors study

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Apr:105:172-179. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.055. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding how hospital staff members (HSMs), including healthcare workers, acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the first wave can guide the control measures in the current second wave in Europe.

Methods: From March 5 to May 10, 2020, the Raymond-Poincaré Hospital held a weekday consultation for HSMs for PCR testing. HSMs were requested to complete a questionnaire on their potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Results: Of 200 HSMs screened, 70 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Ninety-nine HSMs completed the questionnaire of whom 28 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the multivariable analysis, age of ≥44 years (aOR = 5.2, 95% CI [1.4-22.5]) and not systematically using a facemask when caring for a patient (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI [1.8-293.0]) were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Working in a COVID-19-dedicated ward (aOR = 0.7, 95% CI [0.2-3.2]) was not significantly associated with infection. Community-related exposure in and outside the hospital, hospital meetings without facemasks (aOR = 21.3, 95% CI [4.5-143.9]) and private gatherings (aOR = 10, 95% CI [1.3-91.0]) were significantly associated with infection.

Conclusions: Our results support the effectiveness of barrier precautions and highlight in-hospital infections not related to patient care and infections related to exposure in the community. Protecting HSMs against COVID-19 is crucial in fighting the second wave of the epidemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Control measures; Healthcare workers; Personal protective equipment; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / etiology
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paris / epidemiology
  • Personnel, Hospital
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Tertiary Care Centers*