Infection and Drug Resistance (May 2023)

Assessment of the Risk and Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Healthcare Workers During the Omicron Transmission Period: A Multicentric Study from Four Hospitals of Mainland China

  • Chen S,
  • Chen M,
  • Chen Q,
  • Zhang T,
  • Xu B,
  • Tung TH,
  • Shen B,
  • Wu X

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 3315 – 3328

Abstract

Read online

Shuaishuai Chen,1,2,* Mengyuan Chen,1,2,* Qiaoming Chen,3 Tongtong Zhang,4 Bing Xu,5 Tao Hsin Tung,6 Bo Shen,1,2 Xiaomai Wu7 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of System Medicine and Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Taizhou, Taizhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Prevention and Health Care, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) Enze Hospital, Taizhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Prevention and Health Care, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Human Resources, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, People’s Republic of China; 6Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) Enze Hospital, Taizhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Bo Shen, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 150 Ximen Street of Linhai City, Linhai, 317000, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Xiaomai Wu, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) Enze Hospital, 1 East Tongyang Road of Luqiao, Taizhou, 318000, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant emerged and spread rapidly among the population in the early stage of China’s normalized prevention and control in December 2022. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2, it is important to evaluate the impact of the omicron pandemic on HCWs in China.Methods: A self-administered online survey was conducted on infected HCWs from four hospitals of Taizhou. A total of 748 HCWs received the survey via DingTalk, and 328 responded to the questionnaire. The risk factors were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: By December 20, 2022, 748 HCWs tested positive by PCR, and the infection rate was 11.4% (748/6581). Among 328 respondents, the most common symptoms were cough (88.4%), fever (83.5%), runny nose (77.1%), sore throat (73.2%), headache (70.1%), muscle aches (67.1%), and fatigue (53.4%). 69.8% (229/328) of the participants had five or more major onset symptoms, while no severe case was observed. The multivariate analysis indicated that the poor sleep quality (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.31– 4.02, P = 0.004) was an independent risk factor for more major onset symptoms, while wore gloves ≥ 95% times in working (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28– 0.85, P = 0.011) was significantly related to fewer symptoms. In addition, 239 (72.9%) recipients reported high fever (temperature ≥ 38.5°C), less common cold (≤ 3 vs > 3 times/year, OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.05– 4.65, P = 0.038) was significantly associated with high fever.Conclusion: Our findings imply rapid transmissibility of omicron and multiple-onset symptoms among HCWs. Improved autoimmunity and self-protection measures for HCWs may be helpful in controlling infection and clinical symptoms. Our results provide empirical reference values for improved countermeasures and protective measures for major public health emergencies.Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 omicron, healthcare workers, multiple onset symptoms, poor sleep quality, China

Keywords