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SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey in Grocery Store Workers—Minnesota, 2020–2021

Author

Listed:
  • Madhura S. Vachon

    (Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Ryan T. Demmer

    (Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Stephanie Yendell

    (Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN 55164, USA)

  • Kathryn J. Draeger

    (Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Timothy J. Beebe

    (Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Craig W. Hedberg

    (Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

Abstract

Grocery workers were essential to the workforce and exempt from lockdown requirements as per Minnesota Executive Order 20–20. The risk of COVID-19 transmission in grocery settings is not well documented. This study aimed to determine which factors influenced seropositivity among grocery workers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of Minnesota grocery workers aged 18 and older using a convenience sample. Participants were recruited using a flyer disseminated electronically via e-mail, social media, and newspaper advertising. Participants were directed to an electronic survey and were asked to self-collect capillary blood for IgG antibody testing. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and adjusted for urbanicity, which confounded the relationship between number of job responsibilities in a store and seropositivity. Of 861 Minnesota grocery workers surveyed, 706 (82%) were tested as part of this study, of which 56 (7.9%) tested positive for IgG antibodies. Participants aged 65–74 years had the highest percent positivity. Having multiple job responsibilities in a store was significantly associated with seropositivity in our adjusted model (OR: 1.14 95% CI: 1.01–1.27). Workplace factors influenced seropositivity among Minnesota grocery workers. Future research will examine other potential factors (e.g., in-store preventive measures and access to PPE) that may contribute to increased seropositivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Madhura S. Vachon & Ryan T. Demmer & Stephanie Yendell & Kathryn J. Draeger & Timothy J. Beebe & Craig W. Hedberg, 2022. "SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey in Grocery Store Workers—Minnesota, 2020–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-8, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3501-:d:772158
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