Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Health Care Personnel in the New York City Area

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Health Care Personnel in the New York City Area The greater New York City (NYC) area, including the 5 boroughs and surrounding counties, has a high incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),1 and health care personnel (HCP) working there have a high exposure risk. HCP have expressed concerns about access to testing so that infection spread to patients, other HCP, and their families can be minimized.2 The Northwell Health System, the largest in New York State, sought to address this concern by offering voluntary antibody testing to all HCP. We investigated the prevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among HCP and associations with demographics, primary work location and type, and suspicion of virus exposure. Methods | All Northwell HCP (employees) were provided with personal protective equipment from March 7, 2020, onward. SARS-CoV-2 testing by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) began March 7, 2020, and was available for any HCP who had COVID-19-like symptoms or suspected exposure. From April 20, 2020, to June 23, 2020, all Northwell HCP were offered free, voluntary antibody testing, regardless of symptoms, at 52 sites in the greater NYC area. HCP missing all identifying data were excluded. Testing was for qualitative IgG or total immunoreactivity to SARS-CoV-2.3 Seven different assays were used (eTable in the Supplement); Northwell Health Laboratories validated all testing. The main outcome was seroprevalence. Seroprevalence with 95% confidence interval was calculated by the exact binomial technique. HCP reported demographics, primary work location, job function, direct patient care, work on a COVID or non-COVID unit, and their level of suspicion of virus exposure: “Do you believe you were infected with COVID-19?”