Risk of COVID-19 infection based on the type of contact and family income

Purpose. During the second pandemic wave of COVID-19 in Zaragoza, we studied paediatric contacts of COVID-19 positive patients to estimate the risk of infection after the exposure to a positive child or adult and the risk of infection based on the family income.

Methods. We have carried out a descriptive study of all paediatric patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 at Delicias Sur Primary Care Centre, in Zaragoza, between july and august 2020. We also studied the most common symptoms, visits to the hospital emergency department, diagnostic workup, exposure to COVID-19 positive child or to COVID-19 adult and family income.

Results. 292 patients had close exposure to COVID-19 individuals; 218 of them tested positive for PCR SARS-CoV-2. Among the positive patients, 10.94% had been exposed to a COVID-19 child whereas 89.06% had had close contact with a COVID-19 adult. Despite that, the estimated risk of infection after exposure was of 29.8% for exposures to a COVID-19 child and of 46.53% for exposures to a COVID-19 positive adult. The Risk of infection among patients with a family income lower than 18000 € per year was higher (47.9%) than for those with a family income higher than 18000 € (27.6%).

Conclusion. The Risk of COVID-19 was higher in patients with close contact with adult individuals and with lower family income.