Doctors, nurses and staff members of ear-nose and throat (ENT) departments are at high risk due to aerosol-inducing diagnostic procedures and surgery during the COVID-19 epidemic. Reports from China, Spain, Italy and England report of fatal cases among ENT specialists. With a concurrent lack of personal protection, it is of paramount importance to identify patients and healthcare workers at an early stage to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in the department. A baseline study of all healthcare workers has been performed. Follow-up will be accomplished by interval testing, antibody measurements and REDcap Covid-19 questionnaires. All patients at risk of carrying SARS-CoV-2, or who are candidates for high-risk airway surgery will be tested. Infection control measures at the department will be implemented progressively according to the real-time surveillance results from both patients and healthcare workers.
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Incidence of healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2
Timeframe: 6 months
Incidence of ENT patients with SARS-CoV-2
Timeframe: 6 months
Development of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers
Timeframe: 6 months