COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in southwest Iran

Abstract

Objective With the novel coronavirus pandemic, the impact on the healthcare system and workers cannot be overlooked. However, studies on the infection status of medical personnel are still lacking. It is imperative to ensure the safety of health-care workers (HCWs) not only to safeguard continuous patient care but also to ensure they do not transmit the virus, therefore evaluation of infection rates in these groups are indicated. Methods Demographic and clinical data regarding infected cases among HCWs of Fars, Iran with positive SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR tests were obtained from 10th March to 17th May 2020. Results Our data demonstrated a rate of 5.62% (273 out of 4854 cases) infection among HCW, with a mean age of 35 years and a dominance of female cases (146 cases: 53.5%). The majority of infected cases were among nurses (51.3%), while the most case infection rate (CIR) was among physicians (27 positive cases out of 842 performed test (3.2%)). Also, the highest rate of infection was in the emergency rooms (30.6%). Also, 35.5% of the patients were asymptomatic and the most frequent clinical features among symptomatic patients were myalgia (46%) and cough (45.5%). Although 5.5% were admitted to hospitals, there were no reports of ICU admission. Furthermore, 10.3% of the cases reported transmitting the infection to family and friends. Regarding safety precautions, 1.6% didn't wear masks and 18.7% didn't use gloves in work environments. Conclusion HCWs are among the highest groups at risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, evaluating infection rates and associated features is necessary to improve and adjust protective measures of these vulnerable, yet highly essential group.

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“…Globally, healthcare workers (HCWs) are among the population groups at highest risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection and developing COVID-19 disease due to their exposure to patients or infectious material at work as well as in the community [ 23 ]. At the end of October 2020, the International Council of Nurses confirmed that 1,500 nurses had died from COVID-19 in 44 countries and estimated healthcare worker COVID-19 fatalities to be more than 20,000 worldwide [ 24 ].…”

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“…Another study conducted in Qatar between 10 March and 24 June 2020 revealed that 10.6% of HCWs have tested positive for COVID-19 and that 11.6% of HCWs with a positive test were hospitalized [2]. A study using clinical data obtained from March 10 to 17 May 2020 reported an infection rate of 5.6% among HCWs and reported that 10.3% of infected HCWs transmitted the infection to their family and friends [3]. A review study investigating mortality among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that one HCW died for every 100 HCWs infected and that the mortality rate of infected HCWs was higher for older HCWs than younger HCWs [4].…”