Results
Testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was performed by real time RT-PCR on throat
and nose swab samples taken from HCWs from Cambridge University
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUHNFT) and their symptomatic household
contacts. Over the new study period (25th April 2020
to 24th May 2020), 2,611 additional tests were
performed in the HCW asymptomatic screening arm, 555 additional
tests in the HCW symptomatic screening arm and 216 additional
tests in the HCW household contact screening arm. A further six
tests did not have a clearly recorded arm of origin. Over the entire
study period, the median age of HCWs was 36.5 years, and 35.5 years for
their household contacts. 68.4% were female and 31.6% were male. Of
individuals testing positive over the whole study period, the median age
of HCWs was 32 and 47 years for their household contacts. 77.9% of all
positive tests were from females and 22.1% from males. Table 1
summarises the total number of HCWs testing positive through either arm
of the screening programme, according to job role. Comparison of the
proportions of hospital employees from each job role that tested
positive through the HCW symptomatic screening arm revealed no
statistically significant difference (Pearson’s chi-square test
p=0.419). Reasonable comparison of the proportions testing positive
through the HCW asymptomatic screening arm was not possible due
to non-random sampling of different areas of the hospital, meaning some
job roles had been more frequently targeted for asymptomatic screening
than others.