Covid-19 Seropositivity among Health Care Workers of Tertiary Care Center at the Peak of Pandemic of Uttar Pradesh

ABSTRACT

Background:Across the world, health care workers (HCWs’) are at a higher risk of infection by corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the nature of their work. HCWs’ include those who are working with patients or their sample as well as those who do not work with patients like office workers. Due to asymptomatic and oligo symptomatic infections, testing only symptomatic individuals can lead to a significant underestimation of the SARS -CoV-2 seroprevalence. This study was to determine presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG) in serum samples of HCWs’ engaged in manage- ment of COVID-19 patients. The prevalence of antibody positivity will make an indicator of exposure in HCWs’. Methods: 500 HCWs’ of the King George's Medical University India were recruited in this prospective observational study. All HCWs, including consultant, resident, nursing staff, lab worker, ward boy, guard and others were enrolled in this study. Participants were grouped depending on the COVID-19 test result. (i) HCWs’ with COVID 19 positive history (ii) HCWs’ with COVID 19 negative history. The period of sampling was first week of September 2020 which coincides with high positivity of the city. Results:The prevalence of COVID-19 was found to be 8% in front-line HCWs’ of our hospital.195 HCW had past history of COVID-19 positivity and 305 were negative for COVID-19. Out of 195,116 HCW were reactive for anti-SARS COV-2 IgG antibody, 5were equivocal and 74were nonreactive for anti -SARS COV-2 IgG antibody. The highest reactivity rates for SARS COV-2 IgG antibody were reported in 26 to35 year’s age of HCW followed by 15-25 years age group of HCW. Out of 116 seropositive HCWs’ 74 were males and 42 were females. Conclusions: We reported 8% COVID-19 seropositivity among HCWs. The prevalence is in concordance with our city infection positivity in month of September i.e around 8-12%.