Time to a Negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR Predicts Delayed Return to Work After Medical Leave in COVID-19 Infected Health Care Workers

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether HCWs return to work (RTW) after COVID-19 was associated with time to a negative viral detection test. Methods: To evaluate the association of RTW with an undetectable RT-PCR adjusting for different factors. Results: Three hundred seventy-five HCWs who required medical leave for COVID-19 at a hospital in Madrid. Multivariable analyses confirmed the association of delayed RTW with interval to negative PCR (ORadj 1.12, 95% CI 1.08, 1.17) as well as age, sex, and nursing staff and clinical support services compared to physicians. A predictive model based on those variables is proposed, which had an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.82. Conclusions: Delayed RTW was associated with longer interval to a negative RT-PCR after symptom onset, adjusting for occupational category, age, and sex.