Asymptomatic Healthcare Worker PCR Screening during SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Surge, Germany, 2022

Emerg Infect Dis. 2023 Aug;29(8):1690-1692. doi: 10.3201/eid2908.230156. Epub 2023 Jun 23.

Abstract

During 2022, a total of 9,515 asymptomatic healthcare workers of a large hospital in Germany underwent SARS-CoV-2 PCR screening twice weekly. Of 398,784 saliva samples, 3,555 (0.89%) were PCR positive (median cycle threshold value 30). Early identification of infected healthcare workers can help reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the hospital environment.

Keywords: COVID-19; Germany; Omicron variant; PCR testing; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; healthcare workers; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; surveillance; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SARS-CoV-2* / genetics