Search for asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers during the pandemic: a Spanish experience
Julián Olalla, Aldinéa Corrêa, María Dolores Martín Escalante, María Luisa Hortas, Maria Jesus Martin-Sendarrubias, V. Fuentes, Giuseppe Sena, J. García-Alegría, the ROBLE Group, Alicia Jon Aguilera, Alfonso Al-Torgoman, Ana M del Arco, José Apaza Alvarez, Adolfo Bernal, J. Marqués Galan, Inmaculada Guzmán, Jairo López-Rodríguez, Elena Martín Luque, Milagros Bautista, María Ángeles Navarro, María Ángeles Onieva, Christian Ángeles Pérez-Aisa, Francisco del Rio, Lucía Rivas, S De Robles, Nicolás Soler, David Jiménez-García, Ana I Sánchez-Megolla, Vallecillo
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 can be a vehicle for transmission of the infection. This fact is of particular importance in the case of healthcare workers (HCWs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in HCWs in a medium size hospital in the South of Spain. METHODS: between April 15 and 25, 2020, naso and oropharyngeal PCR determination was performed together with IgG and IgM antibody determination by immunochromatography to the HCWs of the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella of the units involved in patient care with CoVID-19: Emergencies, Intensive Care and Anesthesia, Internal Medicine and Pneumology. Other units not directly involved in the care of these patients were offered to participate. On the day of sampling, a health questionnaire was answered, reporting symptoms on the same day and in the previous fourteen days. RESULTS: 498 HCWs were studied. Two individuals were detected with PCR for SARS-CoV-2 positive. Both were asymptomatic on the day of sampling, but one of them had had a CoVID-19 compatible picture in the previous two weeks and had positive IgG and IgM; therefore, only one subject was truly asymptomatic carrier (0.2%). 9 workers with positive IgG (1.8%) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers among health workers of the services directly involved in the care of patients with CoVID-19 was very low in our center. This type of strategy can be one more tool in controlling the pandemic.