key: cord-1009385-cpgtg0nq
authors: Silver, Casey M.; Joung, Rachel H.; Visenio, Michael R.; Wang, Tracy S.; Pawlik, Timothy M.; Kim, Eugene S.; Bilimoria, Karl Y.
title: COVID-19 Positivity Following an In-Person Surgical Society Meeting: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
date: 2022-05-02
journal: J Surg Res
DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.04.067
sha: 34f88f3bf91960f928783ca7f6101da205cc411c
doc_id: 1009385
cord_uid: cpgtg0nq

BACKGROUND: Many surgical societies have recently resumed in-person meetings after canceling or adopting virtual formats during the COVID-19 pandemic. These meetings implemented safety measures to limit viral exposure and ensure participant safety. While there have been anecdotal reports of COVID-19 cases after attendance, no large-scale assessments have been undertaken. The objective of this study was to evaluate COVID-19 positivity following an in-person surgical society meeting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was administered to participants of the Society for Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS) annual meeting, which was held in Chicago, Illinois in September 2021. This survey assessed vaccination status, in-person versus virtual conference attendance, and COVID-19 testing and symptoms in the 7 days immediately following the meeting. RESULTS: Among the 220 meeting participants, 173 attended in person (79%). There were 91 survey respondents (41% response rate): 67% attending physicians, 27% trainees, and 6% medical students. Nearly all (99%) reported being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 testing was sought within 7 days of the meeting by 15% of in-person respondents, and all reported negative results. Among individuals who were not tested, no one reported development of symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, new loss of taste/smell, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: Among in-person attendees of a recent surgical society meeting, no one reported positive COVID-19 testing after the meeting, and individuals who were not tested denied developing symptoms. While these results are encouraging, societies hosting meetings should continue to proactively assess the safety of in-person meetings to promptly identify outbreaks and opportunities for improvement.

has suggested increased case numbers after indoor sporting events and concerts, but these 88 studies are challenging and often rely on inferences from population-level data rather than 89 prospective data from individuals. 3-6 Furthermore, attendees of surgical conferences differ from 90 the general population in key aspects: they are at increased risk of occupational exposure yet 91 vaccinated at a much higher rate and likely more adherent to mask guidelines. 7, 8 The question 92 of COVID-19 transmission at in-person academic meetings is therefore a unique one. While the 93 authors are aware of at least one case of COVID-19 after attendance at a surgical conference in 94 2021, reports of such cases have been largely anecdotal. There is therefore a need to formally 95 inquire with participants about whether they developed COVID-19 after conferences. The 96 objective of this study is to evaluate rates of COVID-19 positivity following attendance at an in-97 person surgical society meeting in order to provide guidance for upcoming surgical conferences. There were 220 total registrants; 179 (79%) attended the meeting in-person and 41 119 (21%) attended virtually. Three staff members, in addition to the registrants, were present for 120 the duration of the meeting. Among the 91 survey respondents, which represented 41% of 121 meeting participants, 78% attended the meeting in-person and 22% attended virtually. Among 122 the respondents, 67% were attending physicians, 27% trainees, and 6% medical students. 123

Concerns about traveling during the pandemic were cited by 53% of individuals who attended 124 virtually, while 47% did not attend in-person due to other obligations. The vast majority (99%) of 125 participants reported being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of the meeting ( Table  126 1). 127 128 J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f Among individuals who attended in-person, no one reported development of symptoms 129 (cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, new loss of taste or smell, etc.) following the meeting. 130 COVID-19 testing was sought by 15% of in-person respondents within 7 days of returning from 131 the meeting. The most common reason for being tested was "I wanted to ensure that I had not 132 contracted COVID-19" (73%). Among individuals who were tested, all were negative for 133 COVID-19 (Table 1) . There are limitations to this survey data. It is self-reported; therefore, response bias may 158 have limited reporting of a positive test or COVID-19 symptoms. We were unable to capture 159 asymptomatic cases who were not tested. It would also be difficult to discern whether a person 160 who tested positive contracted the virus at the meeting or in traveling to and from the meeting. 161

However, in either case transmission would generally be considered to relate to meeting 162 attendance and would therefore be important to evaluate. It should also be noted that with 

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