At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have increased about the way retail workers are exposed to the virus. A new study led by Dr. Sylvie Trottier of the Laval University Center for Infectious Disease Research and in collaboration with other Canadian agencies, it examines how often retail workers in Quebec City have the virus and what factors increase the risk. Their research was published in the journal Infectious Disease Report.
The research by Dr. Trottier and colleagues follows retail workers at different stages of the pandemic, including the arrival of the Omicron variant, a highly contagious version of a rapidly spreading virus. The researchers tested participants for signs of past infection, meaning they checked for antibodies to exist – proteins in the blood suggest that someone had the virus before. They also asked workers about their experience with Covid-19. The results show that more than half of workers contracted Covid-19 at some point, with a similar number of infections tested positive for the past, and more than a third of confirmed cases reported by virus tests, including PCR and rapid antigen tests to detect active infections. “Our findings suggest that Covid-19 is spreading in ways that are not always relevant to the workplace, meaning retail workers may be affected by activities outside of work,” Dr. Trottier explained.
Some factors make workers more likely to be infected. The study found that younger employees, those with lung conditions, those who work longer, those who socialize more frequently, and those who do not receive the recommended number of vaccine doses. However, in the spring of 2022, the link between age, working hours and infection was established primarily after public health restrictions such as mask authorization and social distancing rules. “This shows that workplace protection measures can reduce infections early, but social interactions become larger as restrictions ease, in terms of spreading the virus, Dr. Trottier said.
Research by Dr. Trottier’s team also shows that in retail work, it is not necessarily a protective measure, and that continuous vaccination and mindful social behavior play a key role in preventing infections. The researchers also pointed out that antibodies were tested, which showed past infections by detecting immune responses, which helped identify cases that might otherwise have not been noticed. Almost one-third of the infections in the study were found in people who never showed symptoms, meaning they had the virus but were not sick.
The findings of Dr. Trottier’s research team contribute to our need for how Covid-19 spreads and emphasizes flexible public health strategies, policies and actions aimed at protecting people from disease. Researchers stress that future pandemic plans should consider workplace and community-based risks. Their research shows that while workplace protection is useful, social behavior and other external factors play an increasingly role in relaxing restrictions.
Journal Reference
K. Santerre; Thériault, M. ; Brusseau Langlois, M.-A. ; Arnold, C. ; Pelletier of Jn; Gilbert (C.) Masson, J.-F. ; Baz, M. ; Boudreau, d. ;wait. “Infection rates and risk factors for SARS-COV-2 infection in retail workers during the pandemic of 19 Quebec, Canada.” Infection. dis. Rep. 2024, 16, 1240–1253. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/idr16060098
About the Author
Dr. Sylvie Trottier He is a multivalent microbiologist and infectious disease expert. She has conducted extensive clinical research in the field of infectious diseases. Her work at Laval University contributes to the development of more effective diagnostic tools, safer, more effective treatments, and better prevention strategies, especially in caring for patients with HIV/AIDS and other infections. Her research aims to provide knowledge and understanding to fight infections.
