Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40402987›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Adapting COVID-19 research infrastructure to capture influenza and respiratory syncytial virus alongside SARS-CoV-2 in UK healthcare workers winter 2022/23: Results of a pilot study in the SIREN cohort.

Sarah Foulkes, Katie Munro, Dominic Sparkes, Jonathan Broad, Naomi Platt, Anna Howells, Omolola Akinbami, Jameel Khawam, Palak Joshi, Sophie Russell and 17 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

27 authors.

Sarah FoulkesUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7241-6345
Katie MunroUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Dominic SparkesUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Jonathan BroadUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Naomi PlattUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Anna HowellsUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Omolola AkinbamiUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Jameel KhawamUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Palak JoshiUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Sophie RussellUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8061-3889
Chris NormanHealth and Care Research Wales, Cardiff, Wales.
Lesley PricePublic Health Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Diane CorriganHealth and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSC), Belfast, United Kingdom.
Michelle ColeUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Jean TimeyinUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Louise ForsterUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Katrina SlaterUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Conall H WatsonUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Nick AndrewsUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Andre CharlettUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Ana AttiUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Jasmin IslamUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Colin S BrownUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4776-3403
Jonathan TurnerUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Susan HopkinsUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
Victoria HallUnited Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, United Kingdom.
SIREN study group

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe combination of patient illness and staff absence driven by seasonal viruses culminates in annual "winter pressures" on UK healthcare systems and has been exacerbated by COVID-19. In winter 2022/23 we introduce multiplex testing aiming to determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in our cohort of UK healthcare workers (HCWs).

methodsThe pilot study was conducted from 28/11/2022-31/03/2023 within the SIREN prospective cohort study. Participants completed fortnightly questionnaires, capturing symptoms and sick leave, and multiplex PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV, regardless of symptoms. PCR-positivity rates by virus were calculated over time, and viruses were compared by symptoms and severity. Self-reported symptoms and associated sick leave were described. Sick leave rates were compared by vaccination status and demographics.

results5,863 participants were included, 84.6% female, 70.3% ≥ 45-years, 91.4% of White ethnicity and 82.6% in a patient facing role. PCR-positivity peaked in early December for all three viruses (4.6 positives per 100 tests (95%CI 3.5, 5.7) SARS-CoV-2, 3.9 (95%CI 2.2, 5.6) influenza, 1.4 (95%CI 0.4, 2.4) RSV), declining to <0.3/100 tests after January for influenza/RSV, and around 2.5/100 tests for SARS-CoV-2. Over one-third of all infections were asymptomatic, and symptoms were similar for all viruses. 1,368 (23.3%) participants reported taking sick leave, median 4 days (range 1-59). Rates of sick leave were higher in participants with co-morbidities, working in clinical settings, and who had not been vaccinated (COVID-19 booster or seasonal influenza vaccine) versus those who had received neither vaccine (2.04 vs 1.41 sick days/100 days, adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio 1.47 (95%CI 1.38, 1.56).

conclusionThis pilot demonstrated the use of multiplex testing allowed better understanding of the impact of seasonal respiratory viruses and respective vaccines on the HCW workforce. This highlights the important information on asymptomatic infection and persisting levels of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Indexed as

COVID-19Health PersonnelInfluenza, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsProspective StudiesSARS-CoV-2SeasonsSick LeaveUnited Kingdom

Identifiers

PMID40402987
PMCPMC12097552

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.