ABSTRACT
Elderly care home residents are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to immune-senescence, pre-existing medical conditions, and the risk of transmission from staff and visitors. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of a COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility for elderly persons following the initial vaccination. A single-center, retrospective, observational design was used to analyze the variables associated with hospitalization and death rate by logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Sixty-eight residents received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite being negative six days after vaccination, the performance of a second test 4 days later revealed 51 positives (75.0%) among residents and 18 among workers (56.3%). A total of 65 of the 68 residents (95.58%) had positive results with symptoms, whereas 34.9% required hospitalization, and 25.8% died. The best-fitting model to explain the distribution of cases reflects three points at the time of infection.. The time from vaccination to symptom onset explains the hospitalization and mortality rates since a day elapsed halves the risk of hospitalization (aOR = 0.57; CI = 0.38-0.75) and the risk of death by a quarter (aOR = 0.74; CI = 0.63-0.88). Nursing homes present an elevated risk of transmission and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization and death, extreme prevention and control measures are essential in these institutions despite the high vaccination coverage.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors with SARS-CoV-2 infection in general practitioners and nurses of primary care centers and nursing homes in the health area of León (Spain). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a convenience sample of professionals from 30 health centers and 30 nursing homes from the primary care management division of the Healthcare Area of Leon. The work center, type of profession, COVID-19 infection, level of exposure, compliance with preventive measures, isolation (if required) and diagnostic tests carried out were collected. The determination of infection was made by differentiated rapid diagnostic test (dRDT), using a finger-stick whole-blood sample. The association of variables with infection was assessed by multivariable non-conditional logistic regression. The true prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was calculated according to two scenarios for RDT (Sensitivity=0.6 and Specificity=0.985; Sensitivity=0.8 and Specificity=1). RESULTS: The true prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was between 4.9% - 11.0%. The observed prevalence was 5.9%, being higher in nursing home compared to primary care centers (9.5% vs. 5.5%). No statistically significant differences were observed by sex, type of professional, level of exposure or compliance with preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this group is low. A high number of professionals remain susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and therefore protective measures should be taken, especially in nursing home professionals
OBJETIVO: Evaluar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en médicos y enfermeras de centros de atención primaria y residencias de ancianos del área de salud de León (España). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional realizado en una muestra de conveniencia de profesionales de 30 centros de salud y 30 residencias de ancianos, de la Gerencia de Atención Primaria del área de salud de León. Se recogió información del centro de trabajo, tipo de profesión, infección por COVID-19, nivel de exposición, cumplimiento de medidas preventivas, aislamiento (si fue requerido) y test diagnósticos realizados. La determinación de infección fue llevada a cabo mediante prueba de diagnóstico rápido diferenciado (PDRd), usando muestra de sangre capilar. La asociación de las variables con la infección se evaluó mediante regresión logística multivariable no condicional. La prevalencia real de infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue calculada de acuerdo a dos escenarios para el PDRd (Sensibilidad=0,6 y Especificidad=0,985; Sensibilidad=0,8 y Especificidad=1). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia real de infección por SARS-CoV-2 se encontró entre 4,9%-11,0%. La prevalencia observada fue de 5,9%, siendo mayor en trabajadores de residencias de ancianos que de centros de salud de atención primaria (9,5% vs 5,5%). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo, tipo de profesional, nivel de exposición o cumplimiento de medidas preventivas. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 en este grupo es baja. Un gran número de profesionales siguen siendo susceptibles a la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 y, por lo tanto, medidas de protección deben ser adoptadas, especialmente en los profesionales de las residencias de ancianos
