SARS-CoV-2 exposure, symptoms and seroprevalence in healthcare workers in Sweden

Nat Commun. 2020 Oct 8;11(1):5064. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-18848-0.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 may pose an occupational health risk to healthcare workers. Here, we report the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, self-reported symptoms and occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers at a large acute care hospital in Sweden. The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 19.1% among the 2149 healthcare workers recruited between April 14th and May 8th 2020, which was higher than the reported regional seroprevalence during the same time period. Symptoms associated with seroprevalence were anosmia (odds ratio (OR) 28.4, 95% CI 20.6-39.5) and ageusia (OR 19.2, 95% CI 14.3-26.1). Seroprevalence was also associated with patient contact (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.5) and covid-19 patient contact (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.2-5.3). These findings imply an occupational risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers. Continued measures are warranted to assure healthcare workers safety and reduce transmission from healthcare workers to patients and to the community.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / etiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Occupational Health
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / etiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sweden / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G