COVID-19 Cohort Study (CCS) – Call for Participants
The COVID-19 Cohort Study (CCS) is recruiting participants from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for a research study.
Study Information
Study title: COVID-19 Cohort Study (CCS): Study of the epidemiology of COVID-19 in healthcare workers and their households (REB #20-0080-E approved by the Sinai Health System REB)
Study investigators: Drs. Allison McGeer & Brenda Coleman (Sinai Health System), & Dawn Bowdish (McMaster University)
Why are we doing it?
To identify workplace, community, and other risk factors for infection
To identify microbiome & early immune responses that may protect us
To estimate the incidence of infection among people working in healthcare
To find out if viral load is associated with severity of symptoms
To determine immune responses over time
To describe the psychological impact of working during a pandemic
Who can participate?
Physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, physicians’ assistants, nurses, receptionists, or other healthcare workers working in private medical practices/clinics or hospitals who:
Are 18-75 years of age
Work in the GTA (greater Toronto area)
Have convenient access to computer or phone with internet access
Plan to be available for at least the next 3 months
What is required?
Questionnaires when you join and then every week (online)
When (if) tested for COVID-19: report results, symptoms, and contact with ill people & submit a swab to the study the same day
Optional sections
Self-collect blood samples: When you join, in 6 months, at the end of the study, & when you test positive for COVID-19 (to see if you have COVID-19 antibodies)
Invite adults & children in your home to join
Other Information
Participation is voluntary and participants may leave the study at any time
Participants will be provided with a small token of appreciation for taking part in the study