SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence by industry, workplace characteristics, and workplace infection prevention and control measures, North Carolina, USA, 2021 to 2022

Abstract

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected workers in certain industries and occupations, and the workplace can be a high-risk setting for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this study, we measured SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence and identified work-related risk factors in a population primarily working at industrial livestock operations. We used a multiplex salivary SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay to determine infection-induced antibody prevalence among 236 adult (≥18 yr) North Carolina residents between February 2021 and August 2022. We used the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (NIOCCS) to classify employed participants’ industry. Most participants (55%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 49% to 62%) were infection-induced IgG positive, including 71% (95% CI 60% to 83%) of animal slaughtering and processing industry workers, 1.5 to 4.3 times North Carolina general population infection-induced seroprevalence estimates during overlapping time periods. Considering self-reported diagnostic test positivity and vaccination history in addition to antibodies, the proportion of participants with evidence of prior infection increased slightly to 61% (95% CI 55% to 67%), including 75% (95% CI 64% to 87%) of animal slaughtering and processing workers. Participants with more than 1000 compared to 10 or fewer coworkers at their jobsite had higher odds of prior infection (adjusted odds ratio 4.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 21.0). This study contributes evidence of the severe and disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on animal slaughtering and processing workers and workers in large congregate settings.