**3. Results**

Our previous publication detailed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the 324 HCW staff tested for SARS-CoV-2 at SLH in Manila [5]. Here we subjected the same group to a panel of respiratory viral tests from March 20 to 20 April 2020. Out of 324, 286 (88%) presented with URTI/LRTI-like symptoms. A summary of those who tested positive for at least one of the viral panels, including SARS-CoV-2, is shown in Table 1. Among those who exhibited URTI/LRTI-like symptoms, only 2% (7 out of 286) were confirmed to have SARS-COV-2 infection. Specifically, five tested positive for only SARS-CoV-2 (2%) and two others had coinfections with two or more viruses: one with influenza A (0.4%), and another with influenza A and parainfluenza 1 (0.4%). Twenty-one (9%) of the participants were infected with rhinovirus—19 with rhinovirus alone (7%) and two with bocavirus coinfection (0.7%)—making it the most common infection of those who exhibited URTI/LRTI-like symptoms (55% out of those who yielded positive results). Other viruses that tested positive were influenza A (0.7%) and B (0.7%), bocavirus (0.4%), parainfluenza 1 (0.4%), adenovirus (0.7%), and coinfections of adenovirus and bocavirus (0.7%). Coinfection was observed in six HCW samples (2%). Overall, 38 (13%) of the participants who presented with URTI/LRTI-like symptoms were identified with a viral etiologic agent. HMPV, RSV, Parainfluenza 2 to 4, coronavirus 229E, and coronavirus OC43 were not detected in any of the samples.

**Table 1.** Summary of the positive test results of viral panels (including SARS-CoV-2) tested among HCWs suspected of having COVID-19 and presented with URTI/LRTI-like symptoms, San Lazaro Hospital, March−April 2020 (N = 286).


\* Coinfection—sample tested positive for more than one etiologic agent.

Excluding SARS-CoV-2 from the analysis (Table 3), most participants who tested positive for the respiratory viral panel (N = 36) belonged to a young age group (39% were 20–29 years old, and 33% were 30–39 years old), were female (67%), and worked as nurses (67%). Other health care workers infected were six nursing aides (17%), four radiology technicians (11%), and two medical doctors (6%). The most common respiratory symptoms exhibited by those who tested positive were sore throat (71%), cough (50%), and runny nose (43%); while nonrespiratory symptoms were predominantly headache (58%), myalgia (33%), and fatigue (19%). Only headache showed significant association with being positive for the respiratory viruses tested (*p* = 0.04).

**Table 2.** Comparison of characteristics and signs and symptoms of HCWs suspected to have COVID-19 who tested positive and negative for the additional respiratory viral panel \*.


**Characteristics Positive (N = 36) (n, %) Negative (N = 280) (n, %)** *p***-Value Sex** Female 24 (66.7) 186 (66.4) Male 12 (33.3) 94 (33.6) 1 **Occupation** Nurse 24 (66.7) 175 (62.5) 0.03 Medical doctor 2 (5.6) 34 (12.1) Nursing aide 6 (16.7) 6 (16.7) Radiology technician 4 (11.1) 2 (0.7) Laboratory personnel 0 9 (3.2) Admission/reception staff 0 4 (1.4) **Level of exposure** Low risk 28 (77.8) 195 (69.6) 0.3 High risk 8 (22.2) 85 (30.4) **URTI/LRTI-like symptoms** Fever 1 (2.8) 2 (0.7) 0.3 Cough 18 (50) 138 (50.4) 1 Sore throat 25 (71.4) 188 (68.6) 0.7 Runny nose 15 (42.9) 108 (39.4) 0.7 Shortness of breath 2 (5.7) 26 (9.6) 0.4 Loss of smell 3 (11.5) 7 (3.2) 0.1 Loss of taste 1 (3.9) 8 (3.7) 1 **Comorbidities** Asthma 2 (5.6) 20 (7.1) 1 Cancer 0 2 (0.7) 1 Chronic liver disease 0 1 0.4 Diabetes 1 (12.5) 5 (13.9) 0.92 Heart disease 2 (5.6) 6 (2.1) 0.2 Hypertension 8 (22.2) 58 (20.7) 0.8 Obesity 6 (16.7) 50 (17.9) 1 No comorbidities 20 (55.6) 172 (61.4) 0.5 **Duration between onset of symptoms and swab collection** mean (SD) 8 (5.4) 9 (8.1) median 7 6 0.5

**Table 3.** Comparison of characteristics and signs and symptoms of HCWs suspected to have COVID-19 who tested positive and negative for the additional respiratory viral panel \*.

> \* HCWs who tested positive for covid-19 were excluded from the analysis.
