Association between Implementation of a Universal Face Mask Policy for Healthcare Workers in a Health Care System & SARS-CoV-2 positivity testing rate in Healthcare Workers
Recommended Citation
Wang DD, O'Neill WW, Zervos MJ, McKinnon JE, Allard D, Alangaden GJ, Schultz LR, Poisson LM, Chu BS, Kalkanis SN, and Suleyman G. Association between Implementation of a Universal Face Mask Policy for Healthcare Workers in a Health Care System & SARS-CoV-2 positivity testing rate in Healthcare Workers. J Occup Environ Med 2021.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-15-2021
Publication Title
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Examine the effect of a universal facemask policy for healthcare workers (HCW) and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity.
METHODS: Daily number of symptomatic HCW tested, SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates, and HCW job-descriptions were collected pre and post Universal HCW facemask policy (March 26). Multiple change point regression was used to model positive-test-rate data. SARS-CoV-2 testing and positivity rates were compared for pre-intervention, transition, post-intervention, and follow-up periods.
RESULTS: Between March 12 - August 10, 2020, 19.2% of HCW were symptomatic for COVID-19 and underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. A single change point was identified ∼March 28-30 (95% probability). Before the change point, the odds of a tested HCW having a positive result doubled every 4.5-7.5 days. Post-change-point, the odds of a tested HCW having a positive result halved every 10.5-13.5 days.
CONCLUSIONS: Universal facemasks was associated with reducing HCW's risk of acquiring COVID-19.
PubMed ID
33596025
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
