*Article* **SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Post-First Wave among Primary Care Physicians in Catania (Italy)**

**Caterina Ledda 1,\*, Flavia Carrasi 1, Maria Teresa Longombardo 2, Gianluca Paravizzini 2 and Venerando Rapisarda 1**


 **\*** Correspondence: cledda@unict.it; Tel./Fax: +39-095-3782049

**Abstract:** Family physicians or pediatricians and general practitioners (GPs) work in non-hospital settings. GPs usually visit many patients, frequently at their homes, with low potential, if any, to control the work setting. Particularly during the initial phases of the COVID-19 outbreak, they were not informed about the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, with inadequate information regarding the risk, a lack of suitable protective measures and, in some cases, deficient or poor accessibility to personal protective equipment (PPE). During the first wave of COVID-19, primary care physicians were on the front line and isolated the first cases of the disease. The present study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of 133 GPs working in Catania (Italy) after the first wave of COVID-19. Serological analysis revealed a low seroprevalence (3%) among GPs. The low seroprevalence highlighted in the results can be attributed to correct managemen<sup>t</sup> of patients by GPs in the first wave. It is now hoped that mass vaccination, combined with appropriate behavior and use of PPE, can help further reduce the risk of COVID-19 disease.

**Keywords:** COVID-19; healthcare worker; healthcare personnel; SARS-CoV-2; general practitioners; medical doctor
