SARS-CoV-2 in the Employees of a Large University Hospital

Schwierzeck V, Correa-Martinez CL, Schneider KN, Mellmann A, Hennies MT, Hafezi W, Czeschinski P, Kampmeier S

Abstract

The severity of COVID-19 infection varies greatly (1). The principal route of transmission of the causative pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is thought to be person-to-person spread via droplet infection (2). Münster University Hospital (UKM) is a tertiary care center with 1500 beds and around 11000 employees (including roughly 1250 physicians). The first patient with COVID-19 was diagnosed at UKM on 29 February 2020 (3); he was admitted to the hospital. Up to 17 April 2020, 242 persons tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at UKM and 37 of these patients had to be admitted for treatment of COVID-19. In common with many other hospitals, UKM has faced challenges in protecting staff members and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve protection beyond that provided by basic hygiene measures, on 23 March 2020 it became compulsory for all employees and visitors to keep their mouth and nose covered while on the hospital premises.