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SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Personnel With High-risk Occupational Exposure: Evaluation of 7-Day Exclusion From Work Policy.
Maltezou, Helena C; Dedoukou, Xanthi; Tseroni, Maria; Tsonou, Paraskevi; Raftopoulos, Vasilios; Papadima, Kalliopi; Mouratidou, Elisavet; Poufta, Sophia; Panagiotakopoulos, George; Hatzigeorgiou, Dimitrios; Sipsas, Nikolaos.
  • Maltezou HC; Department of Respiratory Infections, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Dedoukou X; National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Tseroni M; Department of Respiratory Infections, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Tsonou P; Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Directorate of Noncommunicable Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Raftopoulos V; Department of HIV Surveillance, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Papadima K; Department of Respiratory Infections, Directorate for Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Mouratidou E; Department of Respiratory Infections, Directorate for Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Poufta S; Department of Respiratory Infections, Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Interventions for Infectious Diseases, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Panagiotakopoulos G; National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece.
  • Hatzigeorgiou D; Medical Directorate, Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Athens, Greece.
  • Sipsas N; Pathophysiology Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Clin Infect Dis ; 71(12): 3182-3187, 2020 12 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1043091
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.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Occupational Exposure / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study Limits: Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Occupational Exposure / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study Limits: Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid