Derek A T Cummings1, Lewis J Radonovich2, Geoffrey J Gorse3,4, Charlotte A Gaydos5, Mary T Bessesen6,7, Alexandria C Brown8, Cynthia L Gibert9,10, Matthew D T Hitchings1, Justin Lessler11, Ann-Christine Nyquist7,12, Susan M Rattigan1, Maria C Rodriguez-Barradas13,14, Connie Savor Price7,15, Nicholas G Reich8, Michael S Simberkoff16,17, Trish M Perl5,18. 1. Department of Biology and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. 2. Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA. 3. Section of Infectious Diseases, and Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis, MO, USA. 4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy, and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. 5. Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. 6. Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Denver, CO, USA. 7. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado - Denver, Aurora, CO, USA. 8. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. 9. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. 10. Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medical and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA. 11. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. 12. Department of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA. 13. Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA. 14. Infectious Disease Section, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. 15. Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA. 16. Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY, USA. 17. Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. 18. Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents a large risk to healthcare personnel (HCP). Quantifying the risk of coronavirus infection associated with workplace activities is an urgent need. METHODS: We assessed the association of worker characteristics, occupational roles and behaviors, and participation in procedures with the risk of endemic coronavirus infection among HCP who participated in the Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT), a cluster randomized trial to assess personal protective equipment to prevent respiratory infections and illness conducted from 2011 to 2016. RESULTS: Among 4689 HCP seasons, we detected coronavirus infection in 387 (8%). HCP who participated in an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) at least once during the viral respiratory season were 105% (95% confidence interval, 21%-240%) more likely to be diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection. Younger individuals, those who saw pediatric patients, and those with household members <5 years of age were at increased risk of coronavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that the risk of HCP becoming infected with an endemic coronavirus increases approximately 2-fold with exposures to AGPs. Our findings may be relevant to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may differ from endemic coronaviruses in important ways. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01249625.
BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents a large risk to healthcare personnel (HCP). Quantifying the risk of coronavirus infection associated with workplace activities is an urgent need. METHODS: We assessed the association of worker characteristics, occupational roles and behaviors, and participation in procedures with the risk of endemic coronavirus infection among HCP who participated in the Respiratory Protection Effectiveness Clinical Trial (ResPECT), a cluster randomized trial to assess personal protective equipment to prevent respiratory infections and illness conducted from 2011 to 2016. RESULTS: Among 4689 HCP seasons, we detected coronavirus infection in 387 (8%). HCP who participated in an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) at least once during the viral respiratory season were 105% (95% confidence interval, 21%-240%) more likely to be diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus infection. Younger individuals, those who saw pediatric patients, and those with household members <5 years of age were at increased risk of coronavirus infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that the risk of HCP becoming infected with an endemic coronavirus increases approximately 2-fold with exposures to AGPs. Our findings may be relevant to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may differ from endemic coronaviruses in important ways. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01249625.
Authors: Edward J Bernacki; Dan L Hunt; Larry Yuspeh; Robert A Lavin; Nimisha Kalia; Nina Leung; Nicholas F Tsourmas; Leila Williams; Xuguang Grant Tao Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2021-05-01 Impact factor: 2.306