ABSTRACT
At the start of the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the risk of cases in childcare programs was unknown. Thus, a rapid-response research approach was launched in Ohio childcare settings. Passive surveillance data from a state-operated incident reporting system were evaluated to estimate the number of COVID-19 cases from 15 August 2020 to 1 January 2021. Additionally, active surveillance with self-administered reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were conducted among staff at 46 childcare programs. Finally, six zoom-based focus groups with program administrators were used to gain feedback. Staff and children in childcare settings contributed 0.38% and 0.15% of the COVID-19 cases in Ohio during this timeframe, respectively. RT-PCR testing identified 3 unrecognized cases (0.88% of tests), and all occurred when the statewide positivity rate was >5%. Focus groups revealed that access to affordable cleaning supplies, masks, and reliable staffing were critical. Perhaps most importantly, we conclude that expanding the incident reporting system to include a childcare census would allow for the tracking of future health problems with highly valuable incidence rate estimations.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Child , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child Care , Ohio/epidemiology , COVID-19 Testing , PandemicsABSTRACT
We performed severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antinucleocapsid IgG testing on 5,557 healthcare providers and found a seroprevalence of 3.9%. African Americans were more likely to test positive than Whites, and HCWs with household exposure and those working on COVID-19 cohorting units were more likely to test positive than their peers.
ABSTRACT
We performed severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antinucleocapsid IgG testing on 5,557 healthcare providers and found a seroprevalence of 3.9%. African Americans were more likely to test positive than Whites, and HCWs with household exposure and those working on COVID-19 cohorting units were more likely to test positive than their peers.