ObjectiveTo determine the illness severity and mortality among COVID-19-infected healthcare workers (HCWs).DesignA retrospective cohort study using population-level data. Secondary analysis was conducted on collated data from the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the State Ministry of Health, Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were gathered from the COVID-19 patient database of the PHEOC on demographics, place of work, illness severity and outcome.ParticipantsThe cohort included all documented HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 infection (diagnosed by PCR).Primary and secondary outcome measuresIllness severity defined as ‘hospitalisation required’ and treatment outcome labelled as ‘alive’ or ‘dead’ were the outcomes of interest.ResultsThe mean age was 43 years and 50.5% of the cohort were female. Of the 301 HCWs infected, 187 patients were symptomatic with 32 requiring hospitalisation. Seven infected HCWs died of their COVID-19 infection, resulting in a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 2.3%. Population proportions for age groups, case presentation and mortality, would be significantly greater than those seen in the study population. Health professionals made up 79.7% (240) of the study cohort, with 68.8% (165) of them working at the teaching hospitals; the association between HCWs and health facilities they worked in, was significant. Symptomatic cases were more inclined to progress to severe illness (χ(1)2=15.219,α=<0.0001;adjusted OR (aOR) 10.658, 95% CI 2.494 to 45.552); patients also had greater odds of dying from COVID-19 (χ(5)2=13.7,α=0.003;aOR 1.079, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.141) per year increase in age adjusted for sex, case class and illness severity.ConclusionsFrontl-ine HCWs are at an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 infections. In Nigeria, there is a higher risk of experiencing severe illness if symptomatic while infected with COVID-19. Preventive strategies, proper education and awareness must be put in place to protect HCWs.ObjectiveTo determine the illness severity and mortality among COVID-19-infected HCWs.
Introduction: COVID-19 has accounted for approximately six million deaths globally. Several risk factors have been identified. However, the population profile varies in different population groups. The study's aim is to describe the population profile of COVID-19 mortality in Rivers State, Nigeria using captured population-based health records. Methods: Using electronic State Health Records, secondary data analysis was conducted on recorded COVID-19 mortality. Data were obtained from the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the State Ministry of Health, Rivers State. Data were accessed from the PHEOC database, and it included COVID-19 related mortality. Data were collected on demographics, pre-existing comorbidity, symptoms, facility managed, patient status, treatment outcome, and dates of related events. Cohort characteristics were described using means and proportions. Results: There were 191 COVID-19 deaths identified. The mean age was 57.08 years, of which 144 were male (75.4%). The 51–65-year age group had the highest mortality count (38.9%). Over 50% of the patients were hypertensive, and diabetes was the second most common comrbidity (28.8%). Running nose, cough, fever and breathing difficulties were the most reported COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion: This study found that COVID-19 was responsible for a greater mortality increase in men and that the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was higher in these individuals. Additionally, age and the presence of comorbidities may be associated with COVID-19 mortality. Future research in this area could further explain these findings.
Five days after arrival in Nigeria, a 19-year-old female model called the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre with complaints of fever, cough, sore throat, catarrh, sneezing, and diarrhea. A nasopharyngeal swab Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed the diagnosis of COVID-19 on the 26th of March 2020 making her the very first coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Rivers State. Following the diagnosis, the case was moved to the treatment center. Contact tracing of all possible contacts was conducted; one hundred and five contacts were located and asked to self-isolate for fourteen days. The patient had a relatively mild illness; she was treated and discharged home after two weeks when she had two consecutive negative PCR results.
Background/aims: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of infection and mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study determined the illness severity and mortality amongst COVID-19 infected healthcare workers. Methods: The current study was a retrospective cohort study using population level data. Secondary analysis was conducted on collated data from the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the State Ministry of Health. The cohort included all documented healthcare workers with confirmed COVID-19 infection (diagnosed by Polymerase Chain Reaction). Data were gathered from the COVID-19 patient database of the PHEOC, on demographics, place of work, illness severity and outcome. Descriptive statistics were reported on the cohort characteristics. Adjusted odds ratio was used to report the measure of association between illness severity and risk factors. Results: The mean age was 43 years and 50.5% of the cohort were female. Of the 301 healthcare workers, 187 patients were symptomatic with 32 requiring hospitalisation. From the available data, seven infected HCWs died of their COVID-19 infection, resulting in a case fatality ratio of 2.3%. A subgroup analysis was conducted on the health professionals infected: doctors (71.7%), nurses (27.3%), others (1%). Symptomatic cases were more inclined to progress to severe illness. Predictors of mortality assessed included age, sex, case class and illness severity. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ2(9)=16.965, α = 0.049. Conclusion: Frontline healthcare workers are at an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 infections. In Nigeria, there is a higher risk of experiencing a severe disease if symptomatic while infected with COVID-19. It is imperative that preventive strategies, proper education, and awareness are put in place to protect healthcare workers.
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