TY - JOUR
AU - Ferris, Mark
AU - Ferris, Rebecca
AU - Workman, Chris
AU - O'Connor, Eoin
AU - Enoch, David A
AU - Goldesgeyme, Emma
AU - Quinnell, Natalie
AU - Patel, Parth
AU - Wright, Jo
AU - Martell, Geraldine
AU - Moody, Christine
AU - Shaw, Ashley
AU - Illingworth, Christopher J.R.
AU - Matheson, Nicholas J.
AU - Weekes, Michael P
PY - 2021
DA - November
TI - Efficacy of FFP3 respirators for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers
JO - eLife
VL - 10 
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/elife.71131
AB - 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 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 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’ (coronavirus disease 2019, 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 fivefold) 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 HCWs 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.
PB - eLife Sciences Publications
UR - http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/259896/
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
ER