Efficacy of FFP3 respirators for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers
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Publication Date
2021-11-16Journal Title
eLife
ISSN
2050-084X
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
Volume
10
Language
eng
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Weekes, M., Matheson, n., & Illingworth, c. (2021). Efficacy of FFP3 respirators for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers. eLife, 10 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.71131
Description
Funder: NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre
Funder: Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, Cambridge University Hospitals
Abstract
Background: Respiratory protective equipment recommended in the UK for healthcare workers (HCWs) caring for patients with COVID-19 comprises a fluid resistant surgical mask (FRSM), except in the context of aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). We previously demonstrated frequent pauci- and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection HCWs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, using a comprehensive PCR-based HCW screening programme (Rivett et al., 2020; Jones et al., 2020).
Methods: Here, we use observational data and mathematical modelling to analyse infection rates amongst HCWs working on “red” (COVID-19) and “green” (non-COVID-19) wards during the second wave of the pandemic, before and after the substitution of filtering face piece 3 (FFP3) respirators for FRSMs.
Results: Whilst using FRSMs, HCWs working on red wards faced an approximately 31-fold (and at least 5-fold) increased risk of direct, ward-based infection. Conversely, after changing to FFP3 respirators, this risk was significantly reduced (52-100% protection).
Conclusions: FFP3 respirators may therefore provide more effective protection than FRSMs for healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19, whether or not AGPs are undertaken.
Funding: Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, NHS Blood and Transfusion, UKRI.
Keywords
COVID-19, FFP3, PPE, SARS-CoV-2, epidemiology, global health, healthcare worker, infectious disease, mask, microbiology, viruses, Adult, Aerosols, Aged, COVID-19, Health Personnel, Humans, Incidence, Infection Control, Masks, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Respiratory Protective Devices, SARS-CoV-2, United Kingdom, Young Adult
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (108070/Z/15/Z)
Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT) (900275 Minute 47/20B)
Medical Research Council (MR/P008801/1)
MRC (via University of Warwick) (MR/V038613/1)
Identifiers
PMC8635983, 34783656
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.71131
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/332376
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