Demographic and clinical characteristics in asymptomatic health workers with positive SARS-CoV-2 test, Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics found in personnel screened during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Materials and methods: Nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected in the period between May 11 and May 26, 2020, from 496 people. They were followed up by means of a questionnaire at 0, 7, and 14 days. Results: 449 people answered the surveys (73 excluded); age range: 21-63 years, mean of 39.4 years. About 77% had contact with patients with coronavirus infection, (32% had an exposure time of < 8 h a week, 24% 8-16 h a week and 20% more than 16 h a week). The most frequent comorbidity in the population was obesity (13.8%), followed by asthma (8%) and DM2 (1%). The most common symptom was headache (34%), followed by nasal obstruction (25%) and odynophagia in third place (22%); 16% presented alterations in the perception of odors. Among the surveyed personnel, 17 (4.5%) tested positive for SARS-COV2 by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions: In line with this pandemic, a screening protocol was started for asymptomatic health-care personnel for the recognition of infections caused by this virus to establish barriers that will prevent the spread and provide the basis for the standardization of this practice and the protection of healthcare personnel.

Keywords

• COVID-19. Human Coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2. Screening.