IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 10999: COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers: A Prospective Serological-Epidemiological Cohort Study in a Standard Care Hospital in Rural Germany
IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 10999: COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers: A Prospective Serological-Epidemiological Cohort Study in a Standard Care Hospital in Rural Germany
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010999
Authors:
Hoffmann
Schiebel
Hufert
Gremmels
Spallek
Healthcare workers (HCW) play a vital role in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic control. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the risk of COVID-19 infections in a cohort of HCW from four different risk groups (from intensive care unit to administration) of a hospital of a primary care level in rural Germany. The outcomes were monthly measures of antibody seroprevalence over a period of 6 months. Overall, a seroprevalence of 13.41% was determined, with significantly higher prevalence rates among HCW working in areas with more frequent contact to confirmed or suspected cases (30.30%, p = 0.003). The group specific differences in the risk of infection from COVID-19 were detected, as HCW groups with frequent exposure seemed to have an increased risk (RR = 3.18, p = 0.02; CI95 1.09–9.24). The findings contribute to the epidemiological understanding of the virus spread in an unvaccinated population group, which is highly relevant for the pandemic management.
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Hoffmann Schiebel Hufert Gremmels Spallek Tags: Communication Source Type: research
More News: COVID-19 | Environmental Health | Epidemiology | Germany Health | Hospitals | Intensive Care | International Medicine & Public Health | Pandemics | Primary Care | Rural Health | SARS | Study