Broad-based SARS-CoV-2 testing program for healthcare workers in a primary care hospital in France

Infect Dis Now. 2021 Sep;51(6):556-559. doi: 10.1016/j.idnow.2020.11.016. Epub 2021 May 14.

Abstract

A broad-based SARS-CoV-2 testing program for all symptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) was implemented in Tenon hospital, Paris, France. From February 26 to April 22, 2020, 701 symptomatic HCWs were screened, of whom 247 (35.2%) tested positive for SARS-Cov-2. Myalgia, fever, anosmia and ageusia were associated with RT-PCR positivity. Testing of HCWs is an essential step toward control of the epidemic. Further studies could establish clinical algorithms for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis to compensate for RT-PCR test and chest CT limits or unavailability.

Keywords: Health care workers; Hospital-acquired infection Sars-CoV-2; Sars-CoV-2; Testing.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ageusia / epidemiology
  • Anosmia / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods*
  • Female
  • Fever / epidemiology
  • France
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hospitals*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myalgia / epidemiology
  • Paris
  • Primary Health Care
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Young Adult