What is already known about this topic? ‘Health care personnel (HCP) are at heightened risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection, but limited information exists about transmission in health care settings.’
What is added by this report? ‘Among 121 HCP exposed to a patient with unrecognised COVID-19, 43 became symptomatic and were tested for SARS-CoV-2, of whom three had positive test results; all three had unprotected patient contact. Exposures while performing physical examinations or during nebuliser treatments were more common among HCP with COVID-19.’
What are the implications for public health practice? ‘Unprotected, prolonged patient contact, as well as certain exposures, including some aerosol-generating procedures, were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCP. Early recognition and isolation of patients with possible infection and recommended PPE use can help minimise unprotected, high-risk HCP exposures and protect the health care workforce.’
Read here (US CDC, April 17, 2020)
