Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Associated Factors in Health Care Workers.

Santosh, Chavhan Smita; Tukaram, Dhikale Prasad; Maharudra, Kumbhar; Balkrishna, Adsul; Chinmay, Gokhale; Aniket, Ingale; Kinge, Kirti; Nilam, Jadhav

OBJECTIVES To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs, and to study the factors associated with this seroprevalence. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study of HCWs from a Dedicated COVID Hospital was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021. Universal sampling for qualitative testing(by COVID-19 IgG rapid test device by Voxpress) was done and the samples which tested positive were subjected to quantitative testing (chemiluminescent immunoassay) by Serial testing.3 Results: A total of 1005 HCWs were tested out of which 124(12.3%) tested positive by qualitative test and 101(10%) tested positive by both tests. Out of the 1005 HCWs, 155(15.4%) were doctors and 496 (49.4%) were nurses. There was statistically no significant difference between the seropositivity of HCWs with regards to the designation, age, place of work, duration of work in this DCH and Comorbidities. Most HCWs received training in Infection prevention and control(IPC) 988(98.3%), used personal protective equipment(PPE) whenever indicated 997(99.2%), performed hand hygiene before and after handling patients or their material 981(97.6%). Out of 1005 HCWs, 116(11.5%) had a history of COVID-19.The seroprevalence in HCWs not having history of COVID-19 was 74(8.3%). CONCLUSION Good infection prevention practices can keep the infection rate in HCWs low. HCWs with mild symptoms should also be tested and asymptomatic HCWs should be screened periodically to decrease the spread of COVID-19.