Impact of COVID-19 RT-PCR testing of asymptomatic health care workers on absenteeism and hospital transmission during the pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients is critical in controlling the circulation of the virus.

Methods

This study evaluated the prevalence of Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity in serial tests in 429 asymptomatic health care workers (HCW) and its impact on absenteeism. HCW from a COVID-19 reference hospital were tested, screened, and placed on leave. A time-series segmented regression of weekly absenteeism rates was used, and cases of infection among hospitalized patients were analyzed. Viral gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on samples from HCW who had a positive result.

Results

A significant decrease in absenteeism was detected 3-4 weeks after the inte

SUBMITTER: Teixeira Mendes E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9671504 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature