Covid-19 in Healthcare workers Outcomes and Immunity Study (CHOIS) [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
COVID-19 in Healthcare workers Outcome and Immunity Study (CHOIS): Understanding long-term health outcomes and risk of reinfection after SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers with reference to antibody responses.
IRAS ID
284913
Contact name
Joe Millar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 7 days
Research summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that has resulted in the 2020 pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). As this is a new virus, humans have no pre-existing protective immunity from antibodies and there is uncertainty first, whether long-term morbidity results from infection as has been the case with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS and second, whether long-term immunity develops. The main aims of this study are to identify whether long-term health problems, including physical and psychological problems, develop in healthcare staff (HS) following COVID-19 infection. This study will look at HS who have had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (by positive swab or blood test) and controls (HS with negative tests), following them over 18 months. They will provide a blood sample at baseline and fill in surveys around their health at 4 time points. If they develop an illness consistent with COVID-19 they will have swabs and provide another sample for antibody testing. HS who consent to take part in the study will have antibody levels measured, if they have a positive antibody tests. Further aims of the study are to assess whether some symptoms or severity of symptoms during COVID-19 illness or later are associated with strong antibody responses. This is a prospective study looking at immune response and long-term health outcomes following COVID-19 disease in HS. After obtaining informed consent from HS, the following data will be recorded: demographics, symptoms of COVID-19 illness, significant previous/current illness, time off work, area of work and a baseline health survey – including several validated surveys used to measure physical and psychological health. They will then be asked to complete another online survey at 6, 12 and 18 months. Analysis of survey results and whether staff are re-infected will help us understand whether HS do develop long-term health problems or protective immunity.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EE/0161
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion