Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to a strain on medical resources. The development of countermeasures to prevent its spread is evolving. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk for contracting and transmitting the disease. MethodsSerology testing of volunteer HCWs was performed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh (the Center) in order to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, as well as the associated risk factors, in the hope of implementing adequate prevention and control measures. Results1076 subjects participated in this study, of whom 24.3% were seropositive. The majority were nurses (379, 35%) or physicians (245, 22.2%). 392 (36.4%) of the 1076 subjects were caregivers for COVID-19 patients, and 463 (43.0%) reported contact with infected employees. There was a statistically significant association between taking care of COVID-19 patients and being diagnosed with COVID-19 (chi-square test, p = 0.046). There was a significant association between being in contact with infected employees and having a positive IgG result (chi-square test, p < 0.001). ConclusionsA baseline analysis of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in HCWs at a large tertiary care hospital in Riyadh was performed as the first part of a prospective study of HCWs. The reported seropositivity was 24.3% — higher than that of other hospitals in Riyadh. IgG testing was very useful in the detection of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, as it has high negative predictive value.