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Title
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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Belgian workers in long-term care facilities
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Author
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Abstract
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| Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) can be a source of SARS-CoV-2 within long-term care facilities (LTCFs); therefore, we analysed the data from a testing programme among LTCF employees. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and its determinants among employees of LTCFs and the risk for fellow workers and residents. Methods: Testing started at week 15, the first wave's peak, using nasopharyngeal swabs for PCR up to week 23. At the start of the second wave (week 32), testing resumed. Results: A total of 32 457 test results were available from 446 LTCFs: 2% were positive: 1% in men, 2% in women, 2% in HCWs (=having patient contact), 1% in non-HCWs, higher in younger age groups. In total, 30 729 employees were tested once, 823 twice, 66 thrice and 4 four times. Prevalence was 13% during the first week of testing (week 15) and declined to 7% (week 16) to stay at around 1% (from week 17 until week 23). At the start of the second wave (week 31-33), the prevalence was around 3%. In 70% of positive tests, the employee was asymptomatic. Conclusions: Our study confirms the presence of HCWs with SARS-CoV-2 as a possible source of infection in LTCFs even when the incidence in the general population was low; 70% were asymptomatic. To control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in LTCFs vaccination, infection prevention and control measures are necessary as well as testing of all LTCF HCWs during possible outbreaks, even if asymptomatic. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Occupational medicine. - Oxford
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Publication
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Oxford
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2021
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ISSN
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0962-7480
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DOI
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10.1093/OCCMED/KQAB076
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Volume/pages
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71
:6-7
(2021)
, p. 290-293
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ISI
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000715364200012
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Pubmed ID
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34165551
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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