Introduction: The front-line health care workers are very susceptible to COVID-19 infection. In Kerala, since the diagnosis of first case of COVID 19, the laboratories had to reorganise and start new to implement its testing.Staff working in COVID 19 testing laboratory are exposed to samples of patients suspected of COVID -19. Serological surveys have helped in determining the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the community. This has helped to understand the infection transmission dynamics in different healthcare settings and helped in designing strategies for prevention of further transmission of infection
Aim: The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of COVID-19 among laboratory personnel working in COVID testing laboratory and to determine the source of infection. The study also aimed to determine the association of several factors affecting seropositivity.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among HCWs in the COVID testing laboratory in a tertiary care hospital. The participants who volunteered were asked to complete a questionnaire and give written consent to participate in the study. Their blood was collected for analysis of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA.
Results: Of the 120 participants 20 tested positive for COVID 19 with a seroprevalence of 13.3%. The source of infection in majority of symptomatic PCR positive individuals was from the community. Majority of the individuals who were COVID positive (12/20) had antibody response (p value <0.0000001)
Conclusion: The study shows that the people working in COVID 19 testing laboratory are not at increased risk of COVID 19 infection if adherence to infection prevention measures are practised diligently. The seroprevalence among the laboratory personnel is same as that of the seroprevalence in the general population from the same geographical area.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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