Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14279/23101
Title: | Effects of universal masking on Massachusetts healthcare workers' COVID-19 incidence | Authors: | Lan, Fan Yun Christophi, Costas A. Buley, Jane Iliaki, Eirini F. Bruno-Murtha, Lou Ann Sayah, Assaad J. Kales, Stefanos N. |
Major Field of Science: | Medical and Health Sciences | Field Category: | Health Sciences | Keywords: | Hospital;SARS-CoV-2;Infection control;Infectious disease;Personal protective equipment | Issue Date: | 8-Nov-2020 | Source: | Occupational Medicine, 2020, vol. 70, no. 8, pp. 606–609 | Volume: | 70 | Issue: | 8 | Start page: | 606 | End page: | 609 | Journal: | Occupational Medicine | Abstract: | Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) and other essential workers are at risk of occupational infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several infection control strategies have been implemented. Evidence shows that universal masking can mitigate COVID-19 infection, though existing research is limited by secular trend bias. Aims: To investigate the effect of hospital universal masking on COVID-19 incidence among HCWs compared to the general population. Methods: We compared the 7-day average incidence rates between a Massachusetts (USA) healthcare system and Massachusetts residents statewide. The study period was from 17 March (the date of first incident case in the healthcare system) to 6 May (the date Massachusetts implemented public masking). The healthcare system implemented universal masking on 26 March, we allotted a 5-day lag for effect onset and peak COVID-19 incidence in Massachusetts was 20 April. Thus, we categorized 17-31 March as the pre-intervention phase, 1-20 April the intervention phase and 21 April to 6 May the epidemic decline phase. Temporal incidence trends (i.e. 7-day average slopes) were compared using standardized coefficients from linear regression models. Results: The standardized coefficients were similar between the healthcare system and the state in both the pre-intervention and epidemic decline phases. During the intervention phase, the healthcare system's epidemic slope became negative (standardized β:-0.68, 95% CI:-1.06 to-0.31), while Massachusetts' slope remained positive (standardized β: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.05). Conclusions: Universal masking was associated with a decreasing COVID-19 incidence trend among HCWs, while the infection rate continued to rise in the surrounding community. | URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14279/23101 | ISSN: | 14718405 | DOI: | 10.1093/occmed/kqaa179 | Rights: | © The Author(s). | Type: | Article | Affiliation : | Harvard University National Cheng Kung University Cyprus University of Technology Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) |
Publication Type: | Peer Reviewed |
Appears in Collections: | Άρθρα/Articles |
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