Infection and mortality of healthcare workers worldwide from COVID-19: a scoping review

Abstract

Objectives To estimate COVID-19 infections and deaths in healthcare workers (HCWs) from a global perspective. Design Scoping review. Methods Two parallel searches of academic bibliographic databases and grey literature were undertaken. Governments were also contacted for further information where possible. Due to the time-sensitive nature of the review and the need to report the most up-to-date information for an ever-evolving situation, there were no restrictions on language, information sources utilised, publication status, and types of sources of evidence. The AACODS checklist was used to appraise each source of evidence. Outcome measures Publication characteristics, country-specific data points, COVID-19 specific data, demographics of affected HCWs, and public health measures employed Results A total of 152,888 infections and 1413 deaths were reported. Infections were mainly in women (71.6%) and nurses (38.6%), but deaths were mainly in men (70.8%) and doctors (51.4%). Limited data suggested that general practitioners and mental health nurses were the highest risk specialities for deaths. There were 37.17 deaths reported per 100 infections for healthcare workers aged over 70. Europe had the highest absolute numbers of reported infections (119628) and deaths (712), but the Eastern Mediterranean region had the highest number of reported deaths per 100 infections (5.7). Conclusions HCW COVID-19 infections and deaths follow that of the general world population. The reasons for gender and speciality differences require further exploration, as do the low rates reported from Africa and India. Although physicians working in certain specialities may be considered high-risk due to exposure to oronasal secretions, the risk to other specialities must not be underestimated. Elderly HCWs may require assigning to less risky settings such as telemedicine, or administrative positions. Our pragmatic approach provides general trends, and highlights the need for universal guidelines for testing and reporting of infections in HCWs.

Estimating the burden of COVID-19 on the Australian healthcare workers and health system during the first six months of the pandemic

“…Whilst COVID-19 HCW infections have been estimated at greater than over 19 000 cases in the United States of America and over 150 000 cases in Europe ( Bandyopadhyay et al, 2020 , European Public Service Union 2020 , Hunter et al, 2020 , Keeley et al, 2020 ), in the absence of national reporting of HCW infections, the impact of COVID-19 on HCW in Australia needs to be investigated ( Hunter et al, 2020 , Keeley et al, 2020 ). The aim of the study was to estimate the burden of COVID-19 on Australian HCW and the national health system using publicly available data.…”

“…What is already known about this topic The absence of formal national reporting of HCW infections makes it difficult to inform work health and safety of HCW. COVID-19 infections have been estimated at greater than 150 000 in HCW Europe alone ( Bandyopadhyay et al, 2020 ), with over 620 HCW deaths ( European Public Service Union 2020 ). America has seen over 19 000 HCW infections with close to 400 HCW deaths.…”

“…COVID-19 infections have been estimated at greater than 150 000 in HCW Europe alone ( Bandyopadhyay et al, 2020 ), with over 620 HCW deaths ( European Public Service Union 2020 ). America has seen over 19 000 HCW infections with close to 400 HCW deaths.…”

Personal protective equipment preparedness in Asia-Pacific intensive care units during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A multinational survey

“…3 However, the HCW infection rate appears to vary between <1% to 14% in different countries. [4][5][6] Although the reasons may be multifactorial, it is not unreasonable to speculate that variable PPE preparedness might have played a significant role in HCW infection rate.…”

COVID-19 infection: Knowledge, attitude, practices, and impact among healthcare workers in a South-Eastern Nigerian state

“…This, and the fact that the health care systems are illequipped, have been postulated as going to be responsible for an increase in the number of cases, and mortality from COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa [13]. This disease has claimed the lives of as much as 1000 health care workers and frontline staff all over the world, even in equipped and developed nations with an estimated 450,000 infected HCWs [14,15]. In certain media publications, it has been estimated that about 812 Nigerian healthcare workers (HCWs) have been infected, while it is uncertain how many have died from COVID-19 [16,17].…”