TY - JOUR

T1 - COVID-19 infection rate among tertiary referral center otorhinolaryngology healthcare workers

AU - Rasmussen, Kasper Møller Boje

AU - Andersen, Peter Anders

AU - Channir, Hani Ibrahim

AU - Aanæs, Kasper

AU - Knudsen, Jenny Dahl

AU - Kirkeby, Nikolai Søren

AU - Klokker, Mads

AU - von Buchwald, Christian

AU - Cayé-Thomasen, Per

AU - Jensen, Ramon Gordon

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.

PY - 2021/8

Y1 - 2021/8

N2 - Importance: Otorhinolaryngology is considered one of the medical specialties with a high risk for exposure to corona disease 2019 (COVID-19). Uncontrolled transmission in a hospital department poses a risk to both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients. Objective: To monitor SARS-CoV-2 incidence, transmission, and antibody development among HCWs to identify high risk procedures, pathways, and work areas within the department. Methods: Prospective cohort study of HCWs using repetitive oro- and nasopharygeal swab samples, antibody tests, and self-reported symptoms questionnaires at a tertiary referral center in Copenhagen, Denmark. Results: 347/361 (96%) HCWs participated. Seven (1.9%) were positive on swab tests and none had symptoms. Fifteen (4.2%) developed antibodies. Only one case of potential transmission between HCWs was identified. Infection rates were low and no procedures or areas within the department were identified as exposing HCWs to a higher risk. Conclusions and relevance: Adherence to the surveillance program was high. The low incidence among HCW during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect local transmission and infection control precautions, as well as a low infectious burden in the Danish society.

AB - Importance: Otorhinolaryngology is considered one of the medical specialties with a high risk for exposure to corona disease 2019 (COVID-19). Uncontrolled transmission in a hospital department poses a risk to both healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients. Objective: To monitor SARS-CoV-2 incidence, transmission, and antibody development among HCWs to identify high risk procedures, pathways, and work areas within the department. Methods: Prospective cohort study of HCWs using repetitive oro- and nasopharygeal swab samples, antibody tests, and self-reported symptoms questionnaires at a tertiary referral center in Copenhagen, Denmark. Results: 347/361 (96%) HCWs participated. Seven (1.9%) were positive on swab tests and none had symptoms. Fifteen (4.2%) developed antibodies. Only one case of potential transmission between HCWs was identified. Infection rates were low and no procedures or areas within the department were identified as exposing HCWs to a higher risk. Conclusions and relevance: Adherence to the surveillance program was high. The low incidence among HCW during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic may reflect local transmission and infection control precautions, as well as a low infectious burden in the Danish society.

KW - Coronavirus

KW - COVID-19

KW - Healthcare worker

KW - Otorhinolaryngology

KW - Protective measures

KW - SARS-CoV-2

U2 - 10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

DO - 10.1007/s00405-021-06615-w

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33544196

AN - SCOPUS:85100548233

VL - 278

SP - 3091

EP - 3098

JO - Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ohren- Nasen- und Kehlkopfheilkunde

JF - Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ohren- Nasen- und Kehlkopfheilkunde

SN - 0942-8992

IS - 8

ER -