Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Among Health Care Workers in Mumbai, India.

Abstract

To ascertain the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers in tertiary care hospitals in Mumbai, India. Health care workers (801) from designated COVID-19 hospitals (400) and non-COVID-19 facilities (401) underwent an electrochemiluminescent automated immunoassay for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Details including demographics, comorbidities, symptoms compatible with COVID-19, contact with COVID-19 individuals, personal protective equipment use at work, and details of polymerase chain reaction tests were collected through a validated questionnaire. Doctors (201, 25.1%), nurses (308, 38.5%), and ancillary workers (292, 36.5%) participated in the study. Seroprevalence in 801 participants was 11.1% (9.1% to 13.5%). It was significantly higher ancillary workers (18.5%, 14.5% to 23.3%) than doctors (7%, 4.2% to 11.4%) and nurses (6.8%, 4.5% to 10.2%). Seroprevalence was significantly higher in non-COVID-19 hospitals (13.5%, 10.5% to 17.2%) than COVID-19 hospitals (8.7%, 6.3% to 11.9%). Having a COVID-19 household contact was a significant risk for seropositivity (18.9% vs 10.3%), while a neighborhood contact did not affect seropositivity (9.4% vs 7.3%). Loss of taste/smell and fever were only 2 symptoms associated with seropositivity. Comorbidities did not affect the seropositivity rate. Seropositivity was likely to be higher in ancillary workers and in non-COVID hospitals. There is need to enhance COVID protection protocols and awareness among all health care workers.