Differential occupational risks to healthcare workers from SARS-CoV-2 observed during a prospective observational study
Authors: Eyre David W , Lumley Sheila F , O'Donnell Denise , Campbell Mark , Sims Elizabeth , Lawson Elaine , Warren Fiona , James Tim , Cox Stuart , Howarth Alison , Doherty George , Hatch Stephanie B , Kavanagh James , Chau Kevin K , Fowler Philip W , Swann Jeremy , Volk Denis , Yang-Turner Fan , Stoesser Nicole , Matthews Philippa C , Dudareva Maria , Davies Timothy , Shaw Robert H , Peto Leon , Downs Louise O , Vogt Alexander , Amini Ali , Young Bernadette C , Drennan Philip George , Mentzer Alexander J , Skelly Donal T , Karpe Fredrik , Neville Matt J , Andersson Monique , Brent Andrew J , Jones Nicola , Martins Ferreira Lucas , Christott Thomas , Marsden Brian D , Hoosdally Sarah , Cornall Richard , Crook Derrick W , Stuart David I , Screaton Gavin ,   Oxford University Hospitals Staff Testing Group, Watson Adam JR , Taylor Adan , Chetwynd Alan , Grassam-Rowe Alexander , Mighiu Alexandra S , Livingstone Angus , Killen Annabel , Rigler Caitlin , Harries Callum , East Cameron , Lee Charlotte , Mason Chris JB , Holland Christian , Thompson Connor , Hennesey Conor , Savva Constantinos , Kim David S , Harris Edward WA , McGivern Euan J , Qian Evelyn , Rothwell Evie , Back Francesca , Kelly Gabriella , Watson Gareth , Howgego Gregory , Chase Hannah , Danbury Hannah , Laurenson-Schafer Hannah , Ward Harry L , Hendron Holly , Vorley Imogen C , Tol Isabel , Gunnell James , Ward Jocelyn LF , Drake Jonathan , Wilson Joseph D , Morton Joshua , Dequaire Julie , O'Byrne Katherine , Motohashi Kenzo , Harper Kirsty , Ravi Krupa , Millar Lancelot J , Peck Liam J , Oliver Madeleine , English Marcus Rex , Kumarendran Mary , Wedlich Matthew , Ambler Olivia , Deal Oscar T , Sweeney Owen , Cowie Philip , Naudé Rebecca te Water , Young Rebecca , Freer Rosie , Scott Samuel , Sussmes Samuel , Peters Sarah , Pattenden Saxon , Waite Seren , Johnson Síle Ann , Kourdov Stefan , Santos-Paulo Stephanie , Dimitrov Stoyan , Kerneis Sven , Ahmed-Firani Tariq , King Thomas B , Ritter Thomas G , Foord Thomas H , De Toledo Zoe , Christie Thomas , Gergely Bernadett , Axten David , Simons Emma-Jane , Nevard Heather , Philips Jane , Szczurkowska Justyna , Patel Kaisha , Smit Kyla , Warren Laura , Morgan Lisa , Smith Lucianne , Robles Maria , McKnight Mary , Luciw Michael , Gates Michelle , Sande Nellia , Turford Rachel , Ray Roshni , Rughani Sonam , Mitchell Tracey , Bellinger Trisha , Wharton Vicki , Justice Anita , Jesuthasan Gerald , Wareing Susan , Huda Mohamad Fadzillah Nurul , Cann Kathryn , Kirton Richard , Sutton Claire , Salvagno Claudia , DAmato Gabriella , Pill Gemma , Butcher Lisa , Rylance-Knight Lydia , Tabirao Merline , Moroney Ruth , Wright Sarah , Peto Timothy EA , Holthof Bruno , O'Donnell Anne-Marie , Ebner Daniel , Conlon Christopher P , Jeffery Katie , Walker Timothy M 
Published: August 2020

We conducted voluntary Covid-19 testing programmes for symptomatic and asymptomatic staff at a UK teaching hospital using naso-/oro-pharyngeal PCR testing and immunoassays for IgG antibodies. 1128/10,034 (11.2%) staff had evidence of Covid-19 at some time. Using questionnaire data provided on potential risk-factors, staff with a confirmed household contact were at greatest risk (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.82 [95%CI 3.45–6.72]). Higher rates of Covid-19 were seen in staff working in Covid-19-facing areas (22.6% vs. 8.6% elsewhere) (aOR 2.47 [1.99–3.08]). Controlling for Covid-19-facing status, risks were heterogenous across the hospital, with higher rates in acute medicine (1.52 [1.07–2.16]) and sporadic outbreaks in areas with few or no Covid-19 patients. Covid-19 intensive care unit staff were relatively protected (0.44 [0.28–0.69]), likely by a bundle of PPE-related measures. Positive results were more likely in Black (1.66 [1.25–2.21]) and Asian (1.51 [1.28–1.77]) staff, independent of role or working location, and in porters and cleaners (2.06 [1.34–3.15]).