Protocol for assessment of potential risk factors for 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection among health care workers in a health care setting

This is a case-ascertained prospective investigation of all identified health care contacts working in a health care facility in which a laboratory confirmed 2019-nCoV infected patient (see 2.2 Study population) receives care. Note that this study can be done in health care facilities at all 3 levels of a health system – not just in hospitals. It is intended to provide epidemiological and serologic information which will inform the identification of risk factors 2019-nCoV infection among health care workers. There are three primary objectives of this investigation among health care workers in a health care setting where a 2019-nCoV infected patient is being cared for: To better understand the extent of human-to-human transmission among health care workers, by estimating the secondary infection rate1 for health care worker contacts at an individual level. To characterize the range of clinical presentation of infection and the risk factors for infection among health care workers. To evaluate effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures among health care workers To evaluate effectiveness of infection prevention and control programmes at health facility and national level