400. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Test-based Strategy to Reduce Quarantine Days Among Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers After Household Exposure

Abstract Background Appropriate staffing is essential to provide safe patient care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are missing work days due to illness or high-risk exposure (HRE) to an infected person. To avoid staffing shortages, we implemented a SARS-CoV-2 test-based strategy among asymptomatic HCWs after HRE to facilitate early return to work. Methods In July 2020, our institution implemented a SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test-based strategy among HCWs within 7 days of HRE. HCWs were defined as any paid or unpaid persons directly or indirectly involved in patient care. HRE was defined as close contact < 6 feet with an infected household member without use of mask and lasting for ≥ 15 minutes. Contact with a patient or coworker was not considered high-risk due to universal masking and eye protection use. HCWs underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR testing of a nasopharyngeal swab at least once (1-2 days post-exposure) or twice (5-7 days post-exposure). HCWs with symptoms at baseline were excluded. HCWs who were asymptomatic during evaluation were considered as truly asymptomatic (TA). Saved work-days (SWD) were calculated based on number of days saved due to testing strategy compared to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended 14-day quarantine. HCWs were allowed to return to work within 7 days of HRE if they tested negative, or after completing 10-day isolation period ± improvement in symptoms from symptom onset if they tested positive. Results Between 07/01/2020 to 12/31/2020, 450 unique asymptomatic HCWs underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. Of those, 84% were women and median age was 36 years, 347 tested negative and 103 tested positive. Of those positives, 33% of HCWs tested positive on day 2 after HRE with 141 SWDs (average 2 days/person). Only 37% were TA positives. Of those negatives, 94% were TA SARS-CoV-2 negative with 2620 SWDs (average 7.5 days/person). There were no healthcare outbreaks related to HCWs allowed to return to work following this strategy. Asymptomatic healthcare workers commonly tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on day 2 from household exposure compared to other days Conclusion Test-based strategy among asymptomatic HCWs with HRE reduced loss of workdays and helped limit staffing shortages. Majority of positive HCWs developed symptoms after positive SARS-CoV-2 testing, which may support allowing most fully vaccinated HCWs with no COVID-like symptoms to continue to work unless symptomatic. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Test-based Strategy to Reduce Quarantine Days Among Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers After Household Exposure
Background. Appropriate staffing is essential to provide safe patient care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are missing work days due to illness or high-risk exposure (HRE) to an infected person. To avoid staffing shortages, we implemented a SARS-CoV-2 test-based strategy among asymptomatic HCWs after HRE to facilitate early return to work.
Methods. In July 2020, our institution implemented a SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testbased strategy among HCWs within 7 days of HRE. HCWs were defined as any paid or unpaid persons directly or indirectly involved in patient care. HRE was defined as close contact < 6 feet with an infected household member without use of mask and lasting for ≥ 15 minutes. Contact with a patient or coworker was not considered high-risk due to universal masking and eye protection use. HCWs underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR testing of a nasopharyngeal swab at least once (1-2 days post-exposure) or twice (5-7 days post-exposure). HCWs with symptoms at baseline were excluded. HCWs who were asymptomatic during evaluation were considered as truly asymptomatic (TA). Saved work-days (SWD) were calculated based on number of days saved due to testing strategy compared to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended 14-day quarantine. HCWs were allowed to return to work within 7 days of HRE if they tested negative, or after completing 10-day isolation period ± improvement in symptoms from symptom onset if they tested positive.
Results. Between 07/01/2020 to 12/31/2020, 450 unique asymptomatic HCWs underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. Of those, 84% were women and median age was 36 years, 347 tested negative and 103 tested positive. Of those positives, 33% of HCWs tested positive on day 2 after HRE with 141 SWDs (average 2 days/person). Only 37% were TA positives. Of those negatives, 94% were TA SARS-CoV-2 negative with 2620 SWDs (average 7.5 days/person). There were no healthcare outbreaks related to HCWs allowed to return to work following this strategy.
Asymptomatic healthcare workers commonly tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on day 2 from household exposure compared to other days Conclusion. Test-based strategy among asymptomatic HCWs with HRE reduced loss of workdays and helped limit staffing shortages. Majority of positive HCWs developed symptoms after positive SARS-CoV-2 testing, which may support allowing most fully vaccinated HCWs with no COVID-like symptoms to continue to work unless symptomatic.
Disclosures. All Authors: No reported disclosures Background. In order to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials have recommended self-isolation, self-quarantine of exposed household contacts (HHC), and mask use to limit viral spread within households and communities. While household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is common, risk factors for HHC transmission are poorly understood.

Natural History of Shedding and Household Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Using Intensive High-Resolution Sampling
Methods. In this prospective cohort study, we enrolled 37 households with at least one reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-confirmed (RT-PCR) COVID-19 index case from March 2020 -March 2021, in order to calculate secondary attack rates (SAR) and define risk factors for secondary infections. Participants were tested daily for SARS-CoV-2 via RT-PCR, using self-collected lower nasal samples. Households were followed until all members tested negative for seven consecutive days. We collected demographics, medical conditions, relationship to index case, and socioeconomic indicators. Subgroup data analysis was conducted and stratified by positivity status.
Conclusion. This study suggests that household transmission represents a key source of community-based infection of SARS-CoV-2. Allocating resources for education/training regarding prevention among infected individuals and their close contacts will be critical for control of future outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2.
Disclosures. All Authors: No reported disclosures