Evaluation of the Validity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Control Measures through Antibody Testing for Employees of a University and Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is spread through person-to-person transmission and has become a global pandemic. At Saitama Medical University Hospital, many medical staff members have been involved in treating patients with COVID-19. The Care Task Force was established in collaboration with physicians, medical staff, and clerical staff in the various hospital departments to strengthen infection control measures based on standard precautions. Methods: To determine the outcome of infection control measures, we administered anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests and questionnaires to all 2461 employees including nonhospital workers, as a local standard, between June 29 and July 10, 2020. Results: Among the hospital workers, 698 (33.99%) had contact with patients with COVID-19 and 325 healthcare workers worked in specialized wards for the COVID-19, intensive care unit, and high-fever outpatient clinics. Positive for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody were only 4 (0.16%) employees. Among them, the past histories of two employees were unknown, while the other two had a history of COVID-19 before the test and were not involved in the medical care of COVID-19 patients at our hospital. Conclusion: It is the first study assessing the seropositive rate in Saitama-prefecture, a bed-town of Tokyo. Compared with the local standard, we found that health care workers are not at risk for viral droplet transmission, especially with SARS-CoV-2 and even with the current pandemic, with infection control measures based on standard precautions. Based on our findings and with no clusters formed in our university and hospital, we continued current infection control measures.