Natural history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers in Northern Italy

• Published in: The Journal of hospital infection Vol. 106; no. 4; pp. 709 - 712
• Main Authors: Bongiovanni, M., Marra, A.M., De Lauretis, A., Bini, F., Di Carlo, D., Manes, G., Bodini, B.D., Pellegrini, L., Schettino, M., Picascia, D., Bellini, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2020; The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; Coronavirus Infections - transmission; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - transmission; COVID-19 - virology; Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & control; Female; Health Personnel - statistics & numerical data; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infectious Disease; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Quarantine - standards; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Short Report; Viral Load - trends; Virus Shedding - drug effects; Virus Shedding - physiology; Italy
• ISSN: 0195-6701; 1532-2939; 1532-2939
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.08.027

At present, the time-frame used for the quarantine of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the entire duration of symptoms plus 14 days after symptom recovery; however, no data have been reported specifically for healthcare workers (HCWs). In the study population of 142 HCWs with COVID-19, the mean time for viral clearance was 31.8 days. Asymptomatic subjects cleared the virus more quickly than symptomatic subjects (22 vs 34.2 days; P<0.0001). The presence of fever at the time of diagnosis was associated with a longer time to viral clearance (relative risk 11.45, 95% confidence interval 8.66–14.25; P<0.0001). These findings may have a significant impact on healthcare strategies for the future management of the COVID-19 pandemic.