Open AccessAsymptomatic Cases and Limited Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Residents and Healthcare Workers in Three Dutch Nursing Homes
Author(s) -
Laura W van Buul,
Judith H van den Besselaar,
M. H. P. H. Koene Fleur,
Bianca M. Buurman,
M. P. M. Hertogh Cees,
Martin Smalbrugge
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
gerontology and geriatric medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2333-7214
DOI - 10.1177/2333721420982800
Subject(s) - asymptomatic , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , health care , covid-19 , nursing homes , family medicine , nursing , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , electrical engineering , economic growth , engineering , economics
We aimed to assess the contribution of a- and presymptomatic residents and healthcare workers in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes. We conducted two serial point-prevalence surveys, including standardized symptom assessment and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal testing for SARS-CoV-2, among 297 residents and 542 healthcare workers of three Dutch nursing homes (NHs) with recent SARS-CoV-2 introduction. At the first point-prevalence survey, 15 residents tested positive of which one was presymptomatic and three remained asymptomatic. At the second point-prevalence survey one resident and one healthcare worker tested SARS-CoV-2 positive and both remained asymptomatic. Although a limited number of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were identified, this study confirms a- and presymptomatic occurrence of Covid-19. We additionally describe factors that may contribute to the prevention of transmission. Taken together, our study complements the discussion on effective SARS-CoV-2 screening in NHs.