Study Objective
To report on the preliminary results of the Polk COVID-19 and Flu Response clinical trial (NCT04682132).
Methods
This clinical trial was conducted at Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR), one of the largest EMS systems in the state of Florida. PCFR responds to over 115,000 calls per year and covers a geographic area of over 2000 square miles. The study assessed COVID-19 antibody status in PCFR medics and correlated antibody status to 1) symptomatology, 2) amount of patient contact and 3) individual co-morbidities. For symptoms survey, medics were given a QR code to a survey prior to antibody testing.
Results
The median age was 43 years (IQR 33-52). 41% were female. 83% were White, 9% were Black, 1% were Asian, and 6% were other. 12% were Hispanic. 33% had the following co-morbidities: 5% diabetes, 6% asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 17% had hypertension. Forty five percent had received their influenza vaccine. The median BMI was 19.8 (IQR 25.9-34.8 ). 19% were symptomatic. The most common symptoms were cough, fatigue and headache. Almost 40% had direct patient contact. 15% had less than 5 hours per week; 27% had 5-20 hours per week, and 57% had more than 20 hours per week of direct patient contact. A total of 7% had a positive COVID-19 antibody test. The only univariate analysis that was statistically significant for antibody status was race. Blacks had 3.94 times the odds of having a positive COVID-19 antibody compared to Whites. (P=0.0012 Pearson correlation, 95% CI 0.0560 – 0.2248). Black race remained a statistically significant predictor in a multivariate model that included the age, sex, BMI, number of hours of direct patient contact, whether the medic was symptomatic, presence of co-morbidities and whether or not the medic had received a flu shot prior was symptomatic (P=0.0008, 95% CI 0.0621-0.2354).
Conclusion
In a cohort of paramedics actively managing patients, the COVID-19 positivity rate was significantly higher in Blacks compared to Whites. Symptomatology did not correlate with the presence of antibodies.
