key: cord-1020369-xuv77kp6
authors: Ng, Kangqi; Poon, Beng Hoong; Kiat Puar, Troy Hai; Shan Quah, Jessica Li; Loh, Wann Jia; Wong, Yu Jun; Tan, Thean Yen; Raghuram, Jagadesan
title: COVID-19 and the Risk to Health Care Workers: A Case Report
date: 2020-03-16
journal: Ann Intern Med
DOI: 10.7326/l20-0175
sha: 22c068af627c7fea39fd27e81c022f65cb44c368
doc_id: 1020369
cord_uid: xuv77kp6

nan

gia and twice-daily temperature measurements. In addition, they had nasopharyngeal swabs scheduled on the first day of home isolation, which could have been day 1, 2, 4, or 5 after last exposure to patient, and a second swab scheduled on day 14 after their last exposure. The swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by using a PCR assay. None of the exposed health care workers developed symptoms, and all PCR tests were negative (Table) .

Discussion: The primary route for the spread of COVID-19 is thought to be through aerosolized droplets that are expelled during coughing, sneezing, or breathing, but there also are concerns about possible airborne transmission. In the situation we describe, 85% of health care workers were exposed during an aerosol-generating procedure while wearing a surgical mask, and the remainder were wearing N95 masks. That none of the health care workers in this situation acquired infection suggests that surgical masks, hand hygiene, and other standard procedures protected them from being infected. Our observation is consistent with previous studies that have been unable to show that N95 masks were superior to surgical masks for preventing influenza infection in health care workers (5) . We emphasize, however, that nearly all experts recommend that health care workers wear an N95 mask or equivalent equipment while performing an aerosol-generating procedure.

We recognize the limitations of this single case report and acknowledge that additional studies are necessary to determine how best to protect health care workers from becoming infected with SARS-CoV while they are providing care for patients with COVID-19. 

Clinical characteristics of 138 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia in Wuhan, China

Journey of a Thai taxi driver and novel coronavirus

Ac-Correction: This article was corrected on 17 March 2020 to correct a cessed at www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/ministerial-statement-on -whole-of-government-response-to

guidance for risk assessment and public health management of health care personnel with potential exposure in a health care setting to patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

ResPECT investigators. N95 respirators vs medical masks for preventing influenza among health care personnel: a randomized clinical trial