Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in a non-COVID-19 Teaching University Hospital

• Main Authors: Ahmed Mukhtar, Mostafa Afishawy, Engy Alkhatib, Moushira Hosny, Mohamed Yousef, Amal Amal Elsayed, Marwa Rashad Salem, Doaa Ghaith
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Public Health Research
• Subjects: COVID-19; seroprevalence; IgG; asymptomatic; health care workers
• Online Access: https://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/2102

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the published reports on COVID-19 emphasized that health care workers (HCWs) get infected more than the general population representing one of the most vulnerable groups. However, that the real percentage of HCWs infected by SARS-CoV-2 in Egypt remains unknown. The researchers conducted the current study to assess seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG among HCWs working in a hospital with no SARS-CoV-2 patients, and to identify the potential factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity. Design and Methods: The current study is a cross-sectional study carried out among 455 HCWs at Cairo University Hospital. The researchers administered a questionnaire shortly before the SARS-CoV-2 rapid test is performed using closed-ended question format to obtain information on demographic data of the study participants including age, sex, specialty, clinical information including questions about medical conditions, and. history of previous exposure with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, and history of COVID-19- compatible symptoms during the previous 14 days (cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, anosmia, ageusia, and chills). Results: We screened 455 HCWs for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 31.4% were in the high-risk group, and 68.6% in the low-risk group. The overall IgG seroprevalence was 36 (7.9%) (95% CI 5.8 to 10.8). The IgG seroprevalence was significantly higher in low-risk group 11% (35/312) versus high-risk group 0.7% (1/143), p<0.001. Conclusions: Low seropositivity rates for SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs is suggestive of lack of immunity and we are still far from herd immunity.