SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care workers in a New York City hospital: A cross-sectional analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 102; pp. 63 - 69
• Main Authors: Venugopal, Usha, Jilani, Nargis, Rabah, Sami, Shariff, Masood A, Jawed, Muzamil, Mendez Batres, Astrid, Abubacker, Muhamed, Menon, Sharika, Pillai, Anjana, Shabarek, Nehad, Kasubhai, Moiz, Dimitrov, Vihren, Menon, Vidya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021; The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Antibody; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing; COVID-19 Serological Testing; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exposure; Female; Health care workers; Health Personnel; Hospitals, Urban; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; New York City - epidemiology; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification; SARS-CoV-2 PCR; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Seroprevalence; New York City; SARS-CoV-2 PCR; COVID-19; Health care workers; Exposure; Antibody; Seroprevalence
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.10.036

•SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence was high compared to the community among health care workers in the Bronx.•Symptomatic participants had a higher rate of seroconversion compared to those without symptoms.•Health care workers with anosmia and ageusia had higher odds of seroconversion than asymptomatic.•A combination of healthcare and community exposure contributed to the seroprevalence. New York City (NYC) has endured the greatest burden of COVID-19 infections in the US. Health inequities in South Bronx predisposed this community to a large number of infectious cases, hospitalizations, and mortality. Health care workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of exposure to the infection. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and the associated characteristics of consenting HCWs from an NYC public hospital. This cross-sectional study includes serum samples for qualitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing with nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2; PCR and completion of an online survey capturing demographics, COVID-19 symptoms during the preceding months on duty, details of healthcare and community exposure, and travel history were collected from consenting participants in May 2020. Participants' risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection in the hospital and in the community was defined based on CDC guidelines. Travel history to high-risk areas was also considered an additional risk. The Odds Ratio with bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess characteristics associated with seroprevalence. A total of 500 HCW were tested, 137 (27%) tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Symptomatic participants had a 75% rate of seroconversion compared to those without symptoms. Subjects with anosmia and ageusia had increased odds of seroconversion in comparison to those without these symptoms. Community exposure was 34% among those who had positive antibodies. Seroprevalence among HCWs was high compared to the community at the epicenter of the pandemic. Further studies to evaluate sustained adaptive immunity in this high-risk group will guide our response to a future surge.