Association between Implementation of a Universal Face Mask Policy for Healthcare Workers in a Health Care System & SARS-CoV-2 positivity testing rate in Healthcare Workers

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
• Main Authors: Wang, Dee Dee, O'Neill, William W, Zervos, Marcus J, McKinnon, John E, Allard, David, Alangaden, George J, Schultz, Lonni R, Poisson, Laila M, Chu, Betty S, Kalkanis, Steven N, Suleyman, Geehan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2021
• ISSN: 1536-5948
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002174

Examine the effect of a universal facemask policy for healthcare workers(HCW) and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Daily number of symptomatic HCW tested, SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates, and HCW job-descriptions were collected pre and post Universal HCW facemask policy(March 26). Multiple change point regression was used to model positive-test-rate data. SARS-CoV-2 testing and positivity rates were compared for pre-intervention, transition, post-intervention, and follow-up periods. Between March 12-August 10, 2020, 19.2% of HCW were symptomatic for COVID-19 and underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. A single change point was identified ∼March 28-30(95% probability). Before the change point, the odds of a tested HCW having a positive result doubled every 4.5-7.5 days. Post-change-point, the odds of a tested HCW having a positive result halved every 10.5-13.5 days. Universal facemasks was associated with reducing HCW's risk of acquiring COVID-19.