Rapid assessment of regional SARS-CoV-2 community transmission through a convenience sample of healthcare workers, the Netherlands, March 2020
Chantal Reusken, A. G. M. Buiting, Chantal P. Bleeker‐Rovers, B. M. W. Diederen, Mariëtte Hooiveld, Ingrid Friesema, Marion Koopmans, Titia Kortbeek, Suzanne P. M. Lutgens, Adam Meijer, Jean‐Luc Murk, I. T. M. A. Overdevest, T. A. M. Trienekens, Aura Timen, Wouter van den Bijllaardt, Jaap van Dissel, Arianne van Gageldonk-Lafeber, Dewi van der Vegt, Peter C. Wever, Wim van der Hoek, Jan Kluytmans
Abstract
To rapidly assess possible community transmission in Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands, healthcare workers (HCW) with mild respiratory complaints and without epidemiological link (contact with confirmed case or visited areas with active circulation) were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Within 2 days, 1,097 HCW in nine hospitals were tested; 45 (4.1%) were positive. Of six hospitals with positive HCW, two accounted for 38 positive HCW. The results informed local and national risk management.