Antibody Seroprevalence and Rate of Asymptomatic Infections With SARS-CoV-2 in Austrian Hospital Personnel.

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Context: On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the current corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic. The first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in Austria was announced on February 27, 2020. Since then, the incidence of infection follows a gradual increase. Measurements taken by the Austrian government include travel restrictions, closing of national borders, social distancing, a mandatory use of facemasks in public, and closing of stores and restaurants. The underlying aim of those imposed restrictions is to contain the viral transmission and to slow spreading of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Objectives: The aims of this study are to determine i) how many employees in Austrian trauma hospitals and rehabilitation facilities have virus specific IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, ii) how many are active virus carriers (symptomatic and asymptomatic), iii) how many employees are in their incubation period during the study period, and iv) to calculate the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence together with a specific occupation associated infection risk within the different specifications of health care workers. Study Design: Open uncontrolled observational cross-sectional study. Setting/Participants: A total of 4000 employees in 11 Austrian trauma hospitals and rehabilitation facilities of the Austrian Social Insurance for Occupational Risks (AUVA) will be invited to participate in the study. Study Interventions and Measures: An antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM antibodies, and a RT-PCR test based on oropharyngeal swab samples, as well as laboratory-based antibody tests using ELISA, will be implemented to ensure protection and preservation of health in hospital staff and are not part of the study. The tests will be conducted twice, with approximately two weeks in between testing. The results of the tests will be used for statistical analysis in this study together with a questionnaire including questions related to personal health, traveling activities, living situation, as well as inquiries of symptoms and comorbidities.

Official Title
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Antikörperseroprävalenz Und Hintergrundinfektionsrate Von SARS-CoV-2 in Einem österreichischen Schlüsselkollektiv an Arbeitnehmer*Innen

Conditions
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV 2, Coronavirus Infection, Covid19

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: a specifically designed self-administered questionnaire


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: employees in Austrian trauma hospitals and rehabilitation facilities of the Austrian Social Insurance for Occupational Risks (AUVA) Exclusion Criteria: NA

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 90 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| AUVA HCW<br>health care workers in Austrian trauma hospitals and rehabilitation facilities of the Austrian Social Insurance for Occupational Risks (AUVA) | Diagnostic Test: a specifically designed self-administered questionnaire<br>* The questionnaire consists of the following items: questions related to personal health, traveling activities, living situation, as well as inquiries of symptoms and comorbidities.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Antibody status in HCW | To determine how many employees in Austrian trauma hospitals and rehabilitation facilities have already virus specific IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. | 4 months | 
| Active virus carriers in HCW | To determine how many are actively infected with or without showing symptoms. | 4 months | 
| Incubation time | To determine how many employees are in their incubation period during study time. | 4 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Background incidence rate | To evaluate the background incidence rate of COVID-19 to calculate the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in a defined cohort of the Austrian population. | 4 months | 
| Occupation associated infection risk | To calculate a specific occupation associated infection risk within the different specifications of health care workers amongst AUVA employees. | 4 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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COVID-19 diagnostic testing, SARS-CoV 2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2