• Alberto Paderno, Milena Fior, Giulia Berretti, Alberto Schreiber, Alberto Grammatica, Davide Mattavelli, and Alberto Deganello.
• Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiologic Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
• Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Oct 1; 163 (4): 671-672.

AbstractThe restart of routine in- and outpatient activity in the COVID-19 postepidemic peak needs to be carefully planned in light of specific patterns of viral diffusion. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 serology in the entire personnel of a COVID-19-free otolaryngology department in a highly affected area. The aim was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among staff to clarify the impact of different risk factors for infection. The entire staff of the otolaryngology unit was tested for SARS-CoV-2 serology. Symptomatic staff members were tested with nasal/pharyngeal swabs. All answered a survey focused on the number of in- and extrahospital positive contacts and type of activities in the unit. Five (9%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The only variable associated with a higher risk of infection was the number of extrahospital contacts without personal protective equipment (P = .008). Our study shows that in non-COVID-19 departments, the use of adequate personal protective equipment leads to low rates of infection among health care workers. The prevalent risk of infection was related to extrahospital contact.

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