SARS-CoV-2 transmission rate is low when following a COVID+ patient in the operating room

Axiotakis, Lucas G.; Boyett, Deborah M.; Youngerman, Brett E.; McKhann, Guy M.; Lalwani, Anil K.

PURPOSE: Acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection for uninfected patients undergoing surgical procedures following a COVID positive (COVID+) patient is of significant concern, both for patients seeking medical care in hospital settings and for management of surgical services during pandemic times. METHODS: Using data identifying all COVID+ surgical patients during the initial pandemic peak in New York City (March 15 to May 15, 2020), we analyzed the rate of postoperative symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID negative (COVID−) patients undergoing surgery in the same operating room within 48 h, thus determining nosocomial symptomatic infection rate attributable to COVID operating room exposure. RESULTS: Five COVID− patients directly followed a COVID+ patient, while 19 patients were exposed to COVID+ operating rooms within 24 h. By 48 h, 21 additional patients were exposed. No exposed patients acquired symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection postoperatively. CONCLUSION: With implementation of infection prevention and control procedures in the operating room under local pandemic conditions, our findings suggest that the risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection, when following a COVID+ patient in the same operating room, is very low.