SARS-CoV-2 Exposure and Infection Among Health Care Personnel — Minnesota, March 6–July 11, 2020
Ashley Fell, Amanda Beaudoin, Paige D’Heilly, Erica Mumm, Cory Cole, Laura Tourdot, Abbey Ruhland, Carrie Klumb, Josh Rounds, Brittney Bailey, Gina Liverseed, Molly Peterson, J.P. Mahoehney, Malia Ireland, Maria Bye, Sudha Setty, Maureen Leeds, Joanne Taylor, Stacy Holzbauer, N. A. Anderson, Rich Austin, Chris Ballard, Nick Braun, Margaret Brown, Rachel Cahoon, Amy Casey-Paal, Dominique Cavallo, Ben Christianson, Pete Cole, Sarah Conboy, Jessica T. Davis, Karmen Dippmann, Karl Fernstrom, Lydia Fess, Barbara Frohnert, Patti Fuller, Ruth Furan, Paul Germann, Shelbi Giesel, Christopher Greene, Erin Hammell, Rachel Hannigan, Nicole Hedeen, Mike Hentges, David Hesse, Mona Highsmith, Catherine A Johnson, Susan L. Kalis, Nathan Kemp, Nathan Kemp, Joan M. Kindt, Hannah Kinzer, Gretchen Koenigs, Alina Kraynak, Mary Beth Lacina, Susan LaMotte, Amy Longhenry, Jerry Malloy, Jamie Margetta, Olga Mastrodemos, Davis Melin, Laurie Menke, Michelle Messer, Stephanie Meyer, Greg Nelson, Jessica Nelson, James Noyola, Elizabeth Palmi, James E. Peacock, Tina Peters, Molly Peterson, Lauren Piper, Angela Serfling, Alyssa Steidl, Emily Styles, Erin Tibbetts, Marie Tran, Daniel C. Tranter, Brenda Waltz, Cynthia Wentkiewicz, Kari Witte, John Woodside, Mary Ellen Bennett, Kathy Como-Sabetti, Richard Danila, Kris Ehresmann, Tammy Hale, Leslie Lovett, Ruth Lynfield, Karen Martin, Kirk Smith, Jacy Walters
Abstract
and more than one half (52%) of enrolled HCP with symptoms received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results. Among all HCP with higher-risk exposures, irrespective of monitoring enrollment, 7% received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results. Compared with HCP with higher-risk exposures working in acute care settings, those working in congregate living or long-term care settings more often returned to work (57%), worked while symptomatic (5%), and received a positive test result (10%) during 14-day postexposure monitoring than did HCP working outside of such settings. These data highlight the need for awareness of nonpatient care SARS-CoV-2 exposure risks and for targeted interventions to protect HCP, in addition to residents, in congregate living and long-term care settings. To minimize exposure risk among HCP, health care facilities need improved infection prevention and control, consistent personal protective equipment (PPE) availability and use, flexible sick leave, and SARS-CoV-2 testing access. All health care organizations and HCP should be aware of potential exposure risk from coworkers, household members, and social contacts.