CDC: Prevalence, features of COVID-19 infection in frontline healthcare workers

Editor's Note

This study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 13 academic medical centers in 12 states found that 6% of healthcare workers had antibody evidence of COVID-19 infection, but 29% of them were asymptomatic and 69% had not received a diagnosis of COVID-19.

Between April 3 and June 19, serum samples were collected from 3,248 frontline healthcare workers (ie, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, respiratory therapists), and 194 (6%) had positive test results for COVID-19 antibodies.

Of the 194 seropositive healthcare workers:

*56 (29%) reported no symptoms

*86 (44%) did not believe they previously had COVID-19

*133 (69%) did not report a previous COVID-19 diagnosis.

Seroprevalence of antibodies was lower in those who reported always wearing a face covering (ie, surgical mask, N95 respirator, or powered air purifying respirator [PAPR]) while caring for patients (6%), compared with those who did not (9%).

Seroprevalence by hospital ranged from 0.8% to 31.2%.

The researchers concluded that the risk for transmission of COVID-19 from healthcare workers to others within hospitals might be mitigated by adherence to recommended practices, such as universal use of face coverings and having dedicated cohorts caring for patients with COVID-19.