Publication:

SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody prevalence in health care personnel in a tertiary care teaching hospital treating COVID-19 patients

Background Serosurvey is a salient method for estimating infection rates and monitoring the progression of a pandemic. This study was done to determine the extent of seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies among health care personnel of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods Serum samples of 532 participants working in a teaching hospital which provides tertiary care services to the poor were tested for SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic details and hygiene practices.

Results 160 (30%) out of the 532 participants had IgG levels above the positive cut off value. The seroprevalence was higher in the nurses when compared to other class of staff working in the hospital.

Conclusions The present study shows that the overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers of a tertiary hospital in Bengaluru is high. This indicates that there is a need for the health care workers to take better precautions while treating COVID patients and emphasis should be given in training them to adhere to more stringent hygienic practices.