Extremely Low Prevalence of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers Caring for COVID-19 Patients in Israeli Hospitals: a Cross-sectional Study

Temkin, Elizabeth

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 among clinical staff in designated COVID-19 units vs. that among staff in similar units without known or suspected COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers (HCW) in 8 Israeli general hospitals. The survey involved a questionnaire and a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. We surveyed HCW in COVID-19 units and comparison units (internal medicine and cardiology) from April 30-May 7, 2020. RESULTS: There were 522 participants: 291 from COVID-19 units and 231 from comparison units. Only one participant (0.2%, 95% CI: 0.005%-1.1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2: an asymptomatic nurse on a COVID-19 unit. In participating COVID-19 units there were two symptomatic HCW with confirmed COVID-19 in the two weeks before the survey; both were infected by contact with a co-worker outside of the COVID-19 unit. CONCLUSIONS: The low prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 among HCW, coupled with an absence of symptomatic COVID-19 acquired during patient care, suggest that. Israel's national guidelines for personal protective equipment, which are consistent with those of the World Health Organization, adequately protect HCW.