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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
. 2020 Nov 20;1-26.
doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.1334. Online ahead of print.
COVID-19 Symptoms, Duration, and Prevalence Among Healthcare Workers in the New York Metropolitan Area
Fran Ganz-Lord 1 2 3 , Kathryn R Segal 3 , Michael L Rinke 2 3 4
Affiliations
- PMID: 33213542
- DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.1334
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate symptoms, workforce implications and testing patterns from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the New York metropolitan area during Spring 2020.
Design: Retrospective cohort study of Occupational Health Services (OHS) records.
Setting: A large urban academic medical center with five inpatient campuses and multiple ambulatory centers throughout Bronx and Westchester counties.
Participants: HCWs who called OHS to report COVID-19 symptoms and had either severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR or IgG antibody testing.
Methods: We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 related symptoms on: 1) time from symptom onset to return to work, 2) results of SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal PCR testing, and 3) results of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing in HCWs with mild-moderate COVID-19.
Results: The median time from symptom onset until return to work for HCWs who did not require hospitalization was 15 days (interquartile range 10, 22 days). Shortness of breath, fever, sore throat, and diarrhea were significantly associated with longer durations from symptom onset to return to work. 51.9% of symptomatic HCWs with PCR testing during the study period tested positive. Of the previously symptomatic HCWs who had IgG antibody testing, 55.4% had reactive tests. Ageusia was associated with having both positive PCR and reactive antibody tests. Sore throat was associated with both negative PCR and nonreactive antibody tests.
Conclusion: HCWs with COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization still had prolonged illness. Shortness of breath, fever, sore throat, and diarrhea are associated with longer durations of time out from work.