North York General Hospital
Information Sheet for Healthcare Workers
Status: Currently enrolling Click here to join Already a participant? Click here to log in
Study investigator: Dr. Kevin Katz, Infection Prevention & Control
Funders: Weston Foundation & Physicians’ Services Inc.
What is the purpose of the study?
To better understand how many people develop COVID-19 infection, how often infection is spread in households, and whether there are microbes or early immune responses (in our nose) that protect or make people more susceptible to infection.
How long will the study last?
The study will last until the end of this new virus spread in Ontario. This means that the study will be at least 4 months and may be as long as 12 months.
Who is being asked to participate?
People working in an acute care hospital who:
• are 18 to 75 years old
• work at least 20 hours per week (physicians and nurse practitioners who care for hospitalized patients at least 8 hours per week are also eligible)
• available for the next 3 months (not retiring or going on leave), and
• have convenient access to a computer or a cell phone with internet access
What do I need to do if I decide to participate?
1) An online survey at enrolment to assess your current risk factors
2) Short online surveys every week about whether you have had any symptoms and a longer one every 5th week
3) When you are tested for COVID-19:
i. Complete an illness report to inform the study of your test results, symptoms, and contact with people who may have been ill and one every day you have symptoms
ii. Submit a nasal swab to the study lab on the same day you submit one for testing to find out how many viruses you may be carrying
4) Optional: provide blood specimens at enrolment, in November, and at the end of the study - to test for infections without symptoms and antibody levels. NOTE: The results of these tests will NOT be available until an antibody test has been approved and is available for use.
If you have others living in your home…
We ask that you involve them in the study to help us measure risk factors for transmission within households. Please ask their permission before you provide their email address during your consent.
If you have children (younger than 18 years old) you are asked to do:
1) short baseline reports for each one
2) an online report every week when you do your own
3) when they are tested for COVID-19: complete illness reports and send a swab to test for the number of viruses they may carry
4) when someone else in the home becomes ill, collect swabs and pledgets every 2nd day for 4-5 days to test for their (and your) immune responses
Adults (18 years or older) are asked to do:
1) one baseline questionnaire
2) an online report every 5th week
3) when they are tested for COVID-19: complete illness reports and send a swab to test for the number of viruses they may carry
4) when someone else in the home becomes ill, collect swabs and pledgets every 2nd day for 4-5 days to test for immune responses.
Click here to join Already a participant? Click here to log in
