COVID-19 reinfection among health care workers in a tertiary care center in north Kerala: a descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Reinfection rates due to Covid-19 is on a rise. Prevention, identification, and management of these patients will be essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Objective of this study was to determine the proportion of SARS COV-2 reinfection among health care workers, to determine the meantime interval between primary infection and reinfection and to compare the symptomatology during Primary infection and reinfection. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19 from 1st July 2020 to 31st October 2021 which accounted for 704, of which 36 met the criteria for reinfection. Details of the health care workers who tested positive for COVID-19 was collected from regional PEID cell data base. Data was collected from study subjects using telephonic interviews. Data was analyzed using SPPSS Version 21. Results: Out of the 704 study subjects, 36 (5.11%) met the criteria for reinfection. Mean age was 29.6±9.7 years. Of the 36 cases of reinfection, 36.1% were asymptomatic during the primary infection compared to 2.8% during the second one. Cough and fever were present in 41.7% and 83.3% respectively during reinfection compared to 11.1% and 33.3% in primary infection. Mean time interval between primary infection and reinfection was 244.6±75.6 days. During the time period between primary infection and reinfection 4 (11.1%) had symptoms. Conclusions: Reinfection is possible in individuals who had primary infection with COVID-19. Reinfection can be symptomatically more severe. So regardless of history of infection with COVID-19 all individuals must strictly adhere to Covid protocol.