Detection of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern Gujarat, India

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged from Wuhan, China in late 2019 and spread across the world in few months. This pandemic has affected people all over the world in terms of not only health but also psychologically, economically and socially. Early diagnosis by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test helped the health system to isolate the patient and prevent the spread of the disease in community. Aim: To know the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study and focused on early detection of asymptomatic COVID19 infection among Healthcare Workers (HCW) by RT-PCR test. Total of 356 samples were collected of all HCW working in Nootan Medical College and Research Centre Visnagar, Gujarat, India, in month of May 2021. Data were analysed on basis of job profile, working area and vaccination status. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of total 356 samples, six were positive showing prevalence of 1.68%. Out of these six positive workers two had exposure to COVID-19 positive patients at home in last 10 days. No significance was found in positivity rate in relation to job profile, working area in hospital and vaccination status. Conclusion: This study reveals low prevalence of asymptomatic infection among HCWs engaged in COVID-19 related duties. The HCWs are at highest risk of contracting infection, hence it is necessary to protect their safety and health as infection among them can spread to other co-workers and patients.