SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Personnel With High-risk Occupational Exposure: Evaluation of 7-Day Exclusion From Work Policy. (29th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maltezou, Helena C; Dedoukou, Xanthi; Tseroni, Maria; Tsonou, Paraskevi; Raftopoulos, Vasilios; Papadima, Kalliopi; Mouratidou, Elisavet; Poufta, Sophia; Panagiotakopoulos, George; Hatzigeorgiou, Dimitrios; Sipsas, Nikolaos
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 71:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 3182
• Page End: 3187
• Publication Date: 2020-06-29
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- healthcare personnel -- exposure -- occupational; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa888
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: Background: As of late February 2020, Greece has been experiencing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Healthcare personnel (HCP) were disproportionately affected, accounting for ~10% of notified cases. Exclusion from work for 7 days was recommended for HCP with high-risk occupational exposure. Our aim was to evaluate the 7-day exclusion from work policy for HCP with high-risk exposure. Methods: HCP with a history of occupational exposure to COVID-19 were notified to the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, regardless of their exposure risk category. Exposed HCP were followed for 14 days after last exposure. Results: We prospectively studied 3398 occupationally exposed HCP; nursing personnel accounted for most exposures (n = 1705; 50.2%). Of the 3398 exposed HCP, 1599 (47.1%) were classified as low-risk, 765 (22.5%) as moderate-risk, and 1031 (30.4%) as high-risk exposures. Sixty-six (1.9%) HCP developed COVID-19 at a mean of 3.65 (range: 0–17) days postexposure. Of the 66 HCP with COVID-19, 46, 7, and 13 had a history of high-, moderate- or low-risk exposure (4.5%, 0.9%, and 0.8% of all high-, moderate-, and low-risk exposures, respectively). Hospitalization and absenteeism were more prevalent among HCP with high-risk exposure. A logistic regression analysis showed that the following variables were significantly associated with an increased risk for the onset of COVID-19: male, administrative personnel, underlying disease, and high-risk exposure. Conclusions: HCP with high-risk occupational exposure to COVID-19 had increased probability of serious morbidity, healthcare seeking, hospitalization, and absenteeism. Our findings justify the 7-day exclusion from work policy for HCP with high-risk exposure. Abstract : Healthcare personnel with occupational high-risk exposure to COVID-19 were at increased risk for serious morbidity, healthcare seeking, hospitalization, and absenteeism. Our findings justify the 7-day exclusion from work policy for healthcare personnel with high-risk exposure.