COVID-19 among workers of a comprehensive cancer centre between first and second epidemic waves (2020): a seroprevalence study in Catalonia, Spain
Candela Calle,
Esteve Fernández,
Adaia Albasanz-Puig,
Carlota Gudiol,
Anna Saura-Lazaro,
Jordi Trelis,
Eva Loureiro,
Delphine Casabonne,
Maria Ángeles Domínguez,
Paula Peremiquel-Trillas,
Laia Alemany,
Yolanda Benavente-Moreno,
Sandra Cabrera,
Angela Duran,
Lidia Garrote,
Immaculada Brao,
Maica Galán,
Francesc Soler,
Joaquim Julià,
Dolça Cortasa,
Dolors Ramírez-Tarruella,
Joan Muniesa,
Juan Pedro Rivas,
Carles Muñoz-Montplet,
Ana Sedano,
Àngel Plans,
Beatriz Calvo-Cerrada,
Ana Clopés,
Dolors Carnicer-Pont
Affiliations
Candela Calle
General Direction, Institut Català d`Oncologia (ICO), L`Hospìtalet de Llobregat, Spain
Esteve Fernández
Tobacco Control Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Adaia Albasanz-Puig
Infectious Disease Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Carlota Gudiol
Infectious Disease Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Anna Saura-Lazaro
Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Department, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Jordi Trelis
School of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Department, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Maria Ángeles Domínguez
Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L`Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Paula Peremiquel-Trillas
Epidemiology and Public Health Programme, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Laia Alemany
CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
Yolanda Benavente-Moreno
Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Department, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Sandra Cabrera
Research Nursing Department, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Badalona, Spain
Angela Duran
Nursing Department, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
Objectives Patients with cancer are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 surveillance of workers in oncological centres is crucial to assess infection burden and prevent transmission. We estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a comprehensive cancer centre in Catalonia, Spain, and analyse its association with sociodemographic characteristics, exposure factors and behaviours.Design Cross-sectional study (21 May 2020–26 June 2020).Setting A comprehensive cancer centre (Institut Català d’Oncologia) in Catalonia, Spain.Participants All HCWs (N=1969) were invited to complete an online self-administered epidemiological survey and provide a blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection.Primary outcome measure Prevalence (%) and 95% CIs of seropositivity together with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% CI were estimated.Results A total of 1266 HCWs filled the survey (participation rate: 64.0%) and 1238 underwent serological testing (97.8%). The median age was 43.7 years (p25–p75: 34.8–51.0 years), 76.0% were female, 52.0% were nursing or medical staff and 79.0% worked on-site during the pandemic period. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 8.9% (95% CI 7.44% to 10.63%), with no differences by age and sex. No significant differences in terms of seroprevalence were observed between onsite workers and teleworkers. Seropositivity was associated with living with a person with COVID-19 (aPR 3.86, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.98). Among on-site workers, seropositive participants were twofold more likely to be nursing or medical staff. Nursing and medical staff working in a COVID-19 area showed a higher seroprevalence than other staff (aPR 2.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.52).Conclusions At the end of the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among Institut Català d’Oncologia HCW was lower than the reported in other Spanish hospitals. The main risk factors were sharing household with infected people and contact with COVID-19 patients and colleagues. Strengthening preventive measures and health education among HCW is fundamental.
