A Longitudinal Seroprevalence Study Evaluating Infection Control and Prevention Strategies at a Large Tertiary Care Center with Low COVID-19 Incidence

Lorenz Schubert, Robert Strassl, Heinz Burgmann, Gabriella Dvorak, Matthias Karer, Michael Kundi, Manuel Kussmann, Heimo Lagler, Felix Lötsch, Christopher Milacek, Markus Obermueller, Zoe Oesterreicher, Christoph Steininger, Karin Stiasny, Florian Thalhammer, Ludwig Traby, Zoltan Vass, Matthias Gerhard Vossen, Lukas Weseslindtner, Stefan Winkler and Selma Tobudic
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Lorenz Schubert: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Robert Strassl: Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Heinz Burgmann: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Gabriella Dvorak: Department for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Matthias Karer: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Michael Kundi: Center for Public Health, Department for Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Manuel Kussmann: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Heimo Lagler: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Felix Lötsch: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Christopher Milacek: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Markus Obermueller: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Zoe Oesterreicher: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Christoph Steininger: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Karin Stiasny: Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Florian Thalhammer: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Ludwig Traby: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Zoltan Vass: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Matthias Gerhard Vossen: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Lukas Weseslindtner: Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Stefan Winkler: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Selma Tobudic: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Personal protective equipment and adherence to disinfection protocols are essential to prevent nosocomial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. Here, we evaluated infection control measures in a prospective longitudinal single-center study at the Vienna General Hospital, the biggest tertiary care center in Austria, with a structurally planned low SARS-CoV-2 exposure. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were assessed by Abbott ARCHITECT chemiluminescent assay (CLIA) in 599 health care workers (HCWs) at the start of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in early April and two months later. Neutralization assay confirmed CLIA-positive samples. A structured questionnaire was completed at both visits assessing demographic parameters, family situation, travel history, occupational coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure, and personal protective equipment handling. At the first visit, 6 of 599 participants (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. The seroprevalence increased to 1.5% (8/553) at the second visit and did not differ depending on the working environment. Unprotected SARS-CoV-2 exposure ( p = 0.003), positively tested family members ( p = 0.04), and travel history ( p = 0.09) were more frequently reported by positively tested HCWs. Odds for COVID-19 related symptoms were highest for congestion or runny nose ( p = 0.002) and altered taste or smell ( p < 0.001). In conclusion, prevention strategies proved feasible in reducing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients and among HCWs in a low incidence hospital, not exceeding the one described in the general population.

Keywords: COVID-19; occupational health; infection prevention and control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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