These data also highlight increased risk to pediatric frontline workers, and the psychological toll of this pandemic about HCWs that is likely not unique to our institution. In conclusion, we found that the seropositivity prevalence for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in pHCWs was higher compared to reported levels in our community early in the pandemic, while the percent of positive participants increased in those pHCWs enrolled subsequent to a time of increased community spread (July 2020, CDC Tracker, accessed January 31, 2021). 8% experienced SARS-CoV-2 PCR screening. Large COVID-19 pandemic panic was reported by 71%. Anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG prevalence was 4.1%; 8.4% among ED versus 2.0% among non-ED pHCWs (p 0.001). ED-work location and known COVID-19 exposure were independent risk factors. 31% of antibody-positive pHCWs reported no symptoms. Prevalence significantly (p 0.001) increased from 3.0% in AprilCJune to 12.7% in JulyCAugust. Conclusions Anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG prevalence was low in pHCWs but improved rapidly over time. Both working in the ED and exposure to a AG-014699 (Rucaparib) COVID-19-positive contact were associated with antibody-seropositivity. Ongoing common PPE utilization is essential. These data may guideline vaccination guidelines to protect front-line workers. strong class=”kwd-title” Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, healthcare workers, COVID-19, Emergency Division, Personal Protective Products (PPE), Anti-SARS-CoV-2-IgG Antibodies Intro AG-014699 (Rucaparib) Serologic studies analyzing prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 vary widely from the group evaluated. Healthcare workers (HCW) are a populace of considerable interest because of the essential functions in the pandemic and improved contact with known positive instances. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 414,339 HCWs in the United States (US) afflicted with COVID-19 by February 2021, and at least 1,380 deaths reported (CDC Tracker, accessed February 27, 2021). Reports of positivity in HCW cohorts early in the pandemic range widely from 37% in a highly affected area in Spain (Prez-Garca et al., 2020) to just 1% positivity inside a California community with low COVID-19 levels (Brant-Zawadzki et al., AG-014699 (Rucaparib) 2020). Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 illness in HCWs operating primarily in facilities dedicated to pediatrics (pHCW) (Insa et al., 2020, Tokareva et al., 2021). The exposure risk of pHCWs may be disparate from HCWs in adult-focused facilities for a number of reasons. Most children present with slight illness or are asymptomatic and children are less likely to become hospitalized compared to adults with COVID-19 (Li et al., 2020). Because of this, children with COVID-19 symptoms are more frequently seen and treated in the outpatient establishing such as the emergency departments Rabbit Polyclonal to ZC3H13 (ED), urgent cares and outpatient clinics. Particularly during the early weeks of the pandemic, the milder nature of COVID-19 illness in children led some to believe that children do not spread SARS-CoV-2 or are not affected. Data released from your CDC in April 2020 shown that children do acquire the disease, although with fewer symptoms and the statement cautioned that children may be a source of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (CDC Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2020). Prior to these data being released, utilization of PPE in outpatient pediatric settings was inconsistent, which may have increased workplace exposure in the outpatient pediatric setting. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in pHCWs at a large pediatric healthcare system that is comprised of three childrens hospitals, and to identify what characteristics may be associated with increased prevalence. In particular, we hypothesized that ED-based pHCWs were at higher risk of infection compared to those working in other areas of the hospital. Methods Study design pHCWs were enrolled into a prospective, longitudinal cohort to determine the prevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs over time at a large pediatric healthcare system in Atlanta, Georgia that cares for children and adolescents up until their 21st birthday. There are no adult patient services within this healthcare system. Cross-sectional data presented here are from baseline visits for the cohort participants, which took place from April to August, 2020. The study received Institutional Review Board approval from Emory University and Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Participants Healthcare employees and support staff of the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta (Childrens) and private pediatric practitioners or contractors who regularly work at Childrens facilities were eligible for study participation. pHCWs were recruited by email, by postings in the facilities, and by personal communication. Staff and providers working in the ED were targeted with additional emails and communications to increase participation levels. A healthcare worker who self-identified as regularly working at one of the institutions above were eligible for study inclusion. For staff safety, all participants were required to be asymptomatic at the time of in person visits. If a participant was symptomatic near the time of participation, he/she was rescheduled to a later date to ensure the visit was scheduled at least 14 AG-014699 (Rucaparib) days post-symptoms. Procedures At baseline, verbal or electronic informed consent was obtained and each participant completed a brief online survey that included.
These data also highlight increased risk to pediatric frontline workers, and the psychological toll of this pandemic about HCWs that is likely not unique to our institution