Rapid molecular severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in hospital employees with mild, nonspecific respiratory symptoms facilitates expedient return to work.

Abstract

Nonspecific respiratory symptoms overlap with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prompt diagnosis of COVID-19 in hospital employees is crucial to prevent nosocomial transmission. Rapid molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed for 115 symptomatic employees. The case positivity rate was 2.6%. Employees with negative tests returned to work after 80 (±28) minutes.