The US is currently reporting the highest number of 2019 coronavirus infection (COVID-19) cases worldwide. To date, more than 25.59 million people have been infected with acute coronavirus respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative pathogen of COVID-19 – which has killed 429,000.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency found that, despite mitigation efforts, two COVID-19 outbreaks surfaced among office workers in Washington, DC.
COVID-19 outings
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, DC, on March 19, 2020.
Since March, the U.S. has seen skyrocketing cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In Washington, DC., About 200 cases have been filed since March 7. The government issued lock-in orders and closed insolvent businesses by March 24.
During this time, FEMA remained open, and to protect the workers from COVID-19, all employees were screened for their temperature signals and readings. However, by April 6, six cases had been identified.
The group implemented infection control measures, including always asking for face masks, a social distance of about 6 feet between staff, and reducing occupancy in the open office building from 1,300 people to just 400 person.
Performing a serologic examination
In the report, which appeared in the magazine Emerging infectious diseases, the researchers investigated COVID-19-related workplace and community factors.
To do this, they performed a serologic study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among the staff after the infection control measures and mitigation efforts were applied. In addition to the serologic examination, the team also examined occupational case study data.
The researchers identified the workers who worked in the building between April 1 and 22 through turnstile records. The team emailed these staff to invite them to do the survey. From April 23 to 29, survey participants completed an online self-administration questionnaire to assess their potential exposure to community and workplace on SARS-CoV-2. Blood samples were obtained and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.
Findings of the study
The results of the study showed that, of the 466 participants, 15 were positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 11 reported never being tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and eight reported not developing COVID-19-like symptoms.
Participants spent an average of 20.5 days in FEMA premises since March 2020. The mitigation measures had no differences in participants who tested positive and those who tested negative. However, there was a higher percentage of participants who shared a seropositive workplace.
Further, 13.3 percent of those who spent more than ten minutes less than six feet from a COVID-19 case were in a seropositive FEMA building, which means they have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which affecting a pre-existing disease. The team also found that a higher percentage of those who were seropositive lived with someone who had COVID-19 than those who were seronegative.
In terms of transportation, 60 percent of seropositive cases traveled by cab or rideshare compared to 32.3 percent of those negative.
Following the implementation of mitigation measures to treat pandemic, two registers of COVID-19 cases were identified. There were a total of 15 cases. The researchers noted that two factors outside the workplace may be linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection. These include living with a household member with COVID-19 and using shared transport.
Overall, the team found that although seroprevalence was low among office workers, it was difficult to prevent exposure in the workplace between March and April 2020. More than half of those with antibodies were against SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic or never tested for COVID- 19. At the same time, about 20 to 40 percent did not comply with infection control measures, including mask wear and speed body.
Finally, the study clarifies that, despite infection control measures implemented in the workplace, out-of-work and non-compliance actions may have contributed to mitigation efforts to spread the disease. virus.
The study offers an interesting case study for the dynamics of distribution among office workers, highlighting the need for strict prevention measures in these contexts to prevent career breakdown.