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Large variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among essential workers in Geneva, Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Stringhini

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva
    University of Lausanne)

  • María-Eugenia Zaballa

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Nick Pullen

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Carlos de Mestral

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Lausanne)

  • Javier Perez-Saez

    (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
    University of Geneva)

  • Roxane Dumont

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Attilio Picazio

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Francesco Pennacchio

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Yaron Dibner

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Sabine Yerly

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Helene Baysson

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva)

  • Nicolas Vuilleumier

    (University of Geneva
    Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva)

  • Jean-François Balavoine

    (University of Geneva)

  • Delphine Bachmann

    (Hirslanden Clinique des Grangettes and Hirslanden Clinique La Colline)

  • Didier Trono

    (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

  • Didier Pittet

    (Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine)

  • François Chappuis

    (Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Omar Kherad

    (Hôpital de la Tour and Faculty of Medicine)

  • Laurent Kaiser

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    University of Geneva
    Geneva University Hospitals)

  • Andrew S. Azman

    (Geneva University Hospitals
    Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
    University of Geneva)

  • Idris Guessous

    (University of Geneva
    Geneva University Hospitals)

Abstract

Limited data exist on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates across sectors and occupations, hindering our ability to make rational policy, including vaccination prioritization, to protect workers and limit SARS-CoV-2 spread. Here, we present results from our SEROCoV-WORK + study, a serosurvey of workers recruited after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland. We tested workers (May 18—September 18, 2020) from 16 sectors and 32 occupations for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Of 10,513 participants, 1026 (9.8%) tested positive. The seropositivity rate ranged from 4.2% in the media sector to 14.3% in the nursing home sector. We found considerable within-sector variability: nursing home (0%–31.4%), homecare (3.9%–12.6%), healthcare (0%–23.5%), public administration (2.6%–24.6%), and public security (0%–16.7%). Seropositivity rates also varied across occupations, from 15.0% among kitchen staff and 14.4% among nurses, to 5.4% among domestic care workers and 2.8% among journalists. Our findings show that seropositivity rates varied widely across sectors, between facilities within sectors, and across occupations, reflecting a higher exposure in certain sectors and occupations.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Stringhini & María-Eugenia Zaballa & Nick Pullen & Carlos de Mestral & Javier Perez-Saez & Roxane Dumont & Attilio Picazio & Francesco Pennacchio & Yaron Dibner & Sabine Yerly & Helene Baysson , 2021. "Large variation in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among essential workers in Geneva, Switzerland," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23796-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23796-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Claudia Peters & Madeleine Dulon & Claudia Westermann & Agnessa Kozak & Albert Nienhaus, 2022. "Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Workers in Health and Social Services in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.

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