Transmission dynamics of COVID19 in the outbreak among healthcare workers at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate an outbreak of COVID-19 among HCWs in the nephrology service of a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro in March 2020. MethodsThe study population consisted of a team of 59 HCWs, and surveys were conducted through digital interviews. Signs and symptoms, existence of comorbidities, hospitalization, and the network of contacts among the professionals during the period from March 1 to 23, 2020 were evaluated. The analysis consisted of: (i) describe epidemic curve, (ii) transmission chains, (iii) estimate the effective reproduction number (Rt), and (iv) identification of factors related to infectious cases. ResultsOf the 59 professionals in the nephrology service, 43 (73%) participated in the study. The first case occurred on March 1 and the last case occurred on March 23, 2020. The outbreak peaked on March 12-13. 31 participants were probable or confirmed cases COVID-19. These were mostly women (71%), with an average age of 37 years, and were predominantly doctors (45%). Only one participant was hospitalized. The risk factors for contracting COVID-19 were being a medical doctor, working at another hospital, and being female. ConclusionWe concluded that there was an outbreak of COVID-19 among health professionals in the nephrology service at HUPE from March 1 to 23, 2020. The transmission chain network had large clusters showing intense transmission.