The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and resulting COVID-19 disease causes a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Little is known about how the infection spreads within healthcare. In order to design control strategies, knowledge of the presence of viral nucleic acid and whether an immune response to the virus has been mounted is needed. The purpose of this study is to determine whether personnel and patients/clients in healthcare in Region Stockholm have a currrent SARS-CoV-2 infection or have had an infection. This information will be used to understand how the infection spreads in healthcare, to explore the association with sick-leave among personnel, and to plan high-quality and safe care. Healthcare providers and organizations participating in the study from the greater Stockholm region include the following: Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital; Intensive Care Unit, Karolinska University Hospital; SciLifeLab; KTH Royal Institute of Technology; Roo Home Healthcare Services (Roo Hemtjänst och Vård); Health Care Services Stockholm County (SLSO); Region Stockholm; Southern Hospital (Södersjukhuset); Danderyd Hospital; Capio St Göran Hospital; Södertälje Hospital; Tiohundra AB; Ersta Hospital, Sweden; and St Eriks Eye Hospital (St Eriks Ögonsjukhus).
Diagnostic Test: Throat swab sample for measuring current infection with SARS-CoV-2
Throat sample taken by the study participant to be analyzed with RT PCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acids.
Diagnostic Test: Blood sample for serology to measure past infection with SARS-CoV-2
Blood samples for serology to be analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Inclusion Criteria (all three criteria must be fulfilled):
- Healthcare personnel or patient/client of healthcare in Stockholm County
- Age 18-99
- Provided consent to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- No informed consent to participate provided
- Already confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Already sampled for SARS-CoV-2 infection based on clinical presention but where the
result has not been reported yet
Karolinska University Hospital
Stockholm, Sweden