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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