Risk assessment of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection among employees of a tertiary cancer care center

Abstract

Continuation of health-care facilities for non-COVID illness during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is mired with apprehension of infection to health care workers (HCWs). The lack of facilities can result in dire outcomes for patients of NCDs such as cancer. The Objective of this paper is to assess the risk of running a healthcare facility during the pandemic. A retrospective analysis was carried out at a tertiary cancer hospital to understand the quantum of risk to HCWs while providing care to patients of cancer and to SARS-CoV-2 patients, within the same set-up with optimal segregation. Data were collected for 6 weeks during which attendance, exposure, and infection status of doctors and nurses were recorded along with comorbidities. Of 1041 doctors and nurses who attended duties during the study period, 299 worked in dedicated COVID care areas while 742 worked in routine cancer care areas. The proportion of HCWs that developed symptoms or were tested positive for COVID-19 was 3.7% and 3.9%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two. The proportion for the same was found to be 1.2% among the 645 staffs who were on leave. No correlation could be established between pre-existing comorbidities and risk of acquiring infection. Providing COVID care and routine specialty care within the same hospital premises do not put the HCWs at a drastically increased risk of acquiring infection subject to clear demarcation of work areas, screening at gates by trained personnel, regulation of number of hospital visitors, and optimal use of PPEs.