What are the sources of exposure in healthcare personnel with coronavirus disease 2019 infection?

Abstract

Highlights Healthcare personnel are at risk for nosocomial acquisition of COVID-19. We evaluated the exposure history of hospital personnel with COVID-19. Twenty-five percent of personnel with COVID-19 were exposed to an infected patient or co-worker. Exposure to infected co-workers occurred in nonpatient care settings. Fourteen percent of personnel with COVID-19 were exposed in the community.

Acquisition of COVID‐19 by health care workers: the importance of non‐patient workplace sources

“…With international travel restrictions, an increasing proportion of locally acquired infections among health care workers may be expected. From this analysis and others, 2 colleagues and fomites should be recognised as potential workplace sources of infection, in addition to direct patient contact.…”

COVID-19—Lessons Learned and Questions Remaining

“…For comparison, the 50% infectious dose of SARS-CoV is estimated to be 280 viral particles [ 237 , 238 ]. Break rooms and common work areas may be important sites of nosocomial transmission where PPE is removed and social distancing is inconsistently observed [ 239 ]. Not surprisingly, health care workers are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the community as well, and community transmission rates are reflected in the health care workforce [ 240 ].…”

Evaluation of healthcare personnel exposures to patients with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) associated with personal protective equipment

“…10 Similar to previous reports, our study has also demonstrated that most patient-to-HCP transmission occurred in units that do not typically provide care for patients with COVID-19. 11 In an early study of contact tracing in travel-associated cases of COVID-19, most lapses in PPE occurred prior to COVID-19 being suspected. 12 Diagnosis and isolation of patients with COVID-19 remains critical to prevent transmission within healthcare settings.…”