Seroepidemiology among Employees of New York City Health and Hospitals during the First Wave of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic

Bryan, A. D.; Tatem, K.; Diuguid-Gerber, J.; Cooke, C.; Romanoff, A.; Choudhury, N.; Scanlon, M.; Kishore, P.; Sydney, E.; Masci, J.; Bakshi, P.; Pemmasani, S.; Davis, N. J.; Maru, D.

Objective: Estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among New York City Health + Hospitals healthcare workers, and identify demographic and occupational factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study using data from SARS-CoV-2 serological tests accompanied by a demographic and occupational survey administered to healthcare workers. Participants were employed by New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) and either completed serologic testing at NYC H+H between April 30 and June 30, 2020, or completed SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing outside of NYC H+H and were able to self-report results. Results: Seven hundred twenty-seven survey respondents were included in analysis. Participants had a mean age of 46 years (SD= 12.19) and 543 (75%) were women. Two hundred fourteen (29%) participants tested positive or reported testing positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG+). Characteristics associated with positive SARS-CoV-2 serostatus were Black race (25% IgG+ vs. 15% IgG-, p=0.001), having someone in the household with COVID symptoms (49% IgG+ vs. 21% IgG-, p<0.001), or having a confirmed COVID-19 case in the household (25% IgG+ vs 5% IgG-, p<0.001). Characteristics associated with negative SARS-CoV-2 serostatus included working on a COVID patient floor (27% IgG+ vs. 36% IgG-, p=0.02), working in the ICU (20% IgG+ vs. 28% IgG-, p=0.03), or having close contact with a patient with COVID-19 (51% IgG+ vs. 62% IgG-, p=0.03). Conclusions: Results underscore the significance of community factors and inequities might have on SARS-CoV-2 exposure for healthcare workers.