Towards an integrated approach on occupational health to tackle COVID19 Pandemic

Edna Ribeiro, Ketlyn Oliveira, Marta Dias, Bianca Gomes, Raquel Pimenta, Mariana Delgadinho, Catarina Ginete, Renato Abreu, Marina Almeida-Silva, Ana Almeida, Anita Quintal Gomes, Miguel Brito, Carla Viegas

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Serological screening is crucial for the prevention of infection, ensuring the maintenance of the workers’ health, thus promoting occupational health. It was reported that SARS-CoV-2 can survive in aerosols and on dry surfaces for several days to weeks. Objectives: We aimed to apply an integrated approach on Occupational Health to tackle COVID19 pandemic. Materials and methods: We performed a rapid immunoglobulin IgM-IgG immunoassay, ELISA and hematologic profile among workers (N = 740), in a Public Higher Education Institution from Portugal and an environmental assessment by two sampling methods (Air N = 49; Surfaces N = 101) and RT-PCR. Results: Regarding workers serologic surveillance, 1.89% of rapid test positivity was observed for SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies and a low prevalence of positivity for IgG (1.21%) in which only 33.3% were confirmed by ELISA. Hematologic surveillance data revealed the presence of 10.44% of abnormal hematological profiles, being anemia (3.78%) the most relevant. All the environmental samples analyzed were negative regarding SARS-CoV-2 detection. Discussion: Low SARS-CoV-2 immunization and the negative environmental samples strongly indicate the effectiveness of the preventive measures. Nevertheless, COVID19 disease alters hematologic parameters. Conclusion: This study it was possible to implement an integrated approach on Occupational Health combining efforts with the Occupational Health Services.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOccupational and environmental safety and health V
EditorsPM Arezes, RB Melo, P Carneiro, J Castelo-Branco, A Colim, N Costa, S Costa, J Duarte, JC Guedes, G Perestrelo, JS Baptista
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages265-284
Number of pages20
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-38276-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Publication series

NameStudies in Systems, Decision and Control
Volume492
ISSN (Print)2198-4182
ISSN (Electronic)2198-4190

Keywords

  • COVID19 pandemic
  • Environmental assessment
  • Integrated approach
  • Occupational health
  • Seroprevalence

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