Investigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission among co-workers in a University of Northern Italy during COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study.
Med Lav
; 112(6): 429-435, 2021 Dec 23.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1596134
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission among co-workers at the University of Genoa, Italy, during the second COVID-19 pandemic wave.METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in October 2020 - March 2021 RT-PCR confirmed cases of COVID-19 notified to the Occupational Health Service were included in the analysis.RESULTS:
Among the n = 201 notified cases, contact tracing of n = 53 individuals identified n = 346 close contacts. The household setting (IRR = 36.8; 95% CI 4.9-276.8; p < 0.001) and sharing eating areas (IRR = 19.5; 95% CI 2.5-153.9; p = 0.005) showed the highest Secondary Attack Rates (SARs) compared to the office setting. Fatigue (IRR= 17.1; 95% CI 5.2-55.8; p < 0.001), gastrointestinal symptoms (IRR= 6.6; 95% CI 2.9-15.2; p< 0.001) and cough (IRR= 8.2; 95% CI 3.7-18.2; p= p< 0.001) were associated with transmission of infection. Polysymptomatic cases (IRR= 23.1; 95% CI 3.1-169.2; p = 0.02) were more likely to transmit the infection. Among COVID-19 index cases aged >60 years (OR = 7.7; 95% CI 1.9-31.9; p = 0.0046) SARs were higher than in other age groups. Wearing respiratory protections by both the case and the close contact resulted an effective measure compared with no use (IRR = 0.08; 95% CI 0.03-0.2; p = < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS:
Accurate infection monitoring and contact tracing was useful to identify the main situationsConclusions:
Accurate infection monitoring and contact tracing was useful to identify the main situations of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the workplace, and hence for risk assessment and prevention programs.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Lav
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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