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Lookup NU author(s): Cyril Onwuelazu UtehORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Workplaces can be high-risk environments for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and subsequent community transmission. Identifying, understanding, and implementing effective workplace SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures is critical to protect workers, their families, and communities. A rapid review and meta-analysis were conducted to synthesize evidence assessing the effectiveness of COVID-19 IPC measures implemented in global workplace settings through April 2021. Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies that quantitatively assessed the effectiveness of workplace COVID-19 IPC measures. The included studies comprised varying empirical designs and occupational settings. Measures of interest included surveillance measures, outbreak investigations, environmental adjustments, personal protective equipment (PPE), changes in work arrangements, and worker education. Sixty-one studies from healthcare, nursing home, meatpacking, manufacturing, and office settings were included, accounting for ~280,000 employees based in Europe, Asia, and North America. Meta-analyses showed that combined IPC measures resulted in lower employee COVID-19 positivity rates (0.2% positivity; 95% CI 0-0.4%) than single measures such as asymptomatic PCR testing (1.7%; 95% CI 0.9-2.9%) and universal masking (24%; 95% CI 3.4-55.5%). Modelling studies showed that combinations of (i) timely and widespread contact tracing and case isolation, (ii) facilitating smaller worker cohorts, and (iii) effective use of PPE can reduce workplace transmission. Comprehensive COVID-19 IPC measures incorporating swift contact tracing and case isolation, PPE, and facility zoning can effectively prevent workplace outbreaks. Masking alone should not be considered sufficient protection from SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in the workplace.
Author(s): Ingram C, Downey V, Roe M, Chen Y, Archibald M, Kallas KA, Kumar J, Naughton P, Uteh CO, Rojas-Chaves A, Shrestha S, Syed S, Cléirigh Büttner F, Buggy C, Perrotta C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Year: 2021
Volume: 18
Issue: 15
Print publication date: 01/08/2021
Online publication date: 24/07/2021
Acceptance date: 19/07/2021
Date deposited: 02/03/2023
ISSN (print): 1661-7827
ISSN (electronic): 1660-4601
Publisher: MDPI AG
URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8345343/
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157847
PubMed id: 34360142
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