Occupational COVID-19 exposures and secondary cases among healthcare personnel

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare personnel (HCP) have been at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, both from patients and co-workers. This paper summarizes occupational exposures to SARS-CoV-2 and secondary cases among HCP at a large health system. Key findings indicate that transmission of COVID-19 to HCP is low, especially with close adherence to PPE guidelines, but lapses in infection prevention practices, including dining together and omitting eye protection during patient care, especially at times when COVID-19 is circulating widely in the community increase the risk of exposure and subsequent transmission to HCP.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Exposure; Healthcare epidemiology; Infection control; Occupational health; Pandemic.