A nucleic acid amplification test-based strategy does not help inform return to work for healthcare workers with COVID-19

Objective The objective of this study is to assess the utility of a nucleic acid amplification test-based approach to shorten isolation of healthcare workers (HCWs) with COVID-19 in the setting of the highly transmissible omicron variant. Methods Between December 24, 2021, and January 5, 2022, HCWs who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were retested with PCR at least 5 days since onset of symptoms. Results Forty-six sequential fully COVID-19 vaccinated HCWs who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 underwent follow-up testing. All the samples were confirmed as omicron variants and only four (8.7%) were negative in the follow-up test performed at a median of 6 (range 5-12) since onset of symptoms. Conclusions Implementation of a test-based strategy is logistically challenging, increases costs, and did not lead to shorter isolation in our institution.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a nucleic acid amplification test-based approach to shorten isolation of healthcare workers with COVID-19. The results showed that implementation of this strategy was not effective in our institution and increased costs.