tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Infect Dis
. 2021 May 24;jiab281.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab281. Online ahead of print.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Among Skilled Nursing Facility Residents and Staff Members - Los Angeles County, August-September 2020
Jason H Malenfant[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Michelle Eslami[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Bonnie L Dao[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Leo Moore[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nicole Green[SUP] 4 [/SUP], David Silver[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Kelsey OYong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ashutosh Ruparelia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Rebecca Fisher[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Julia S Wood[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mohammad Faisal[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Faith Washburn[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Steve Shvartsblat[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mirna P Jewell[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tiffany Romo[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Chelsea Foo[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Angela Salazar[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Shobita Rajagopalan[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Zachary A Rubin[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Prabhu Gounder[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of current/past coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents is unknown because of asymptomatic infection and constrained testing capacity early in the pandemic. We conducted a seroprevalence survey (SPS) to determine a more comprehensive prevalence of past COVID-19 in Los Angeles County SNF residents and staff members.
Methods: We recruited participants from 24 facilities; participants were requested to submit a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR testing and serum for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All participants were cross-referenced with our surveillance database to identify persons with prior positive SARS-CoV-2 results.
Results: From August 18 to September 24, 2020, we enrolled 3,305 participants (1,340 residents and 1,965 staff members). Among 856 residents providing serum, 362 (42%) had current/past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 346 serology positive residents, 199 (58%) did not have a documented prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result. Among 1,806 staff members providing serum, 454 (25%) had current/past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 447 serology positive staff members, 353 (79%) did not have a documented prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result.
Conclusions: Past testing practices and policies missed a substantial number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in SNF residents and staff members.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence; Skilled nursing facilities.
. 2021 May 24;jiab281.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab281. Online ahead of print.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Among Skilled Nursing Facility Residents and Staff Members - Los Angeles County, August-September 2020
Jason H Malenfant[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Michelle Eslami[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Bonnie L Dao[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Leo Moore[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nicole Green[SUP] 4 [/SUP], David Silver[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Kelsey OYong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ashutosh Ruparelia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Rebecca Fisher[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Julia S Wood[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mohammad Faisal[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Faith Washburn[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Steve Shvartsblat[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Mirna P Jewell[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tiffany Romo[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Chelsea Foo[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Angela Salazar[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Shobita Rajagopalan[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Zachary A Rubin[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Prabhu Gounder[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34031692
- DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab281
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of current/past coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents is unknown because of asymptomatic infection and constrained testing capacity early in the pandemic. We conducted a seroprevalence survey (SPS) to determine a more comprehensive prevalence of past COVID-19 in Los Angeles County SNF residents and staff members.
Methods: We recruited participants from 24 facilities; participants were requested to submit a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR testing and serum for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. All participants were cross-referenced with our surveillance database to identify persons with prior positive SARS-CoV-2 results.
Results: From August 18 to September 24, 2020, we enrolled 3,305 participants (1,340 residents and 1,965 staff members). Among 856 residents providing serum, 362 (42%) had current/past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 346 serology positive residents, 199 (58%) did not have a documented prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result. Among 1,806 staff members providing serum, 454 (25%) had current/past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 447 serology positive staff members, 353 (79%) did not have a documented prior positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result.
Conclusions: Past testing practices and policies missed a substantial number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in SNF residents and staff members.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence; Skilled nursing facilities.