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Observational Study
. 2021 Sep;278(9):3571-3577.
doi: 10.1007/s00405-020-06582-8. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

Risk of contagion of SARS-CoV-2 among otorhinolaryngologists in Spain during the "Two waves"

Cristina Martin-Villares #  1 , Manuel Bernal-Sprekelsen #  2 , Carmen Perez Molina-Ramirez  3 , Margarita Bartolome-Benito  4 ; COVID ORL ESP Collaborative Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Observational Study

Risk of contagion of SARS-CoV-2 among otorhinolaryngologists in Spain during the "Two waves"

Cristina Martin-Villares et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to obtain data about the contagion rate among Otolaryngologists in Spanish ENT Departments and about the clinical outcomes in positive otolaryngologists. As a secondary objective, we aim to assess the rate of contagion in the first and the second Covid-19 wave in Spain among Otorhinolaryngologists and the regional distribution by ENT-Departments.

Methods: Study design and population: This is a prospective observational study in a cohort of 975 Otolaryngologists from 87 ENT Departments conducted from March 25 to November 17 in our collaborative group, COVID ORL ESP. COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was the diagnostic standard. Hospitalization and/or intensive care admission and mortality was recorded as non-identified data.

Results: Data collected from 975 otolaryngologist from 87 Departments resulted in 157 (16.5%) otolaryngologists testing positive for SARS-CoV-19 by RT-PCR. Important geographic differences in contagion are reported. A total of 136 (86.6%) otolaryngologists were tested positive during the first wave and 21 (13.3%) during the second wave. At the last cut-off point of the study only 30/87 ENT Departments (34.5%) remained COVID19-free and 5 Departments reported more than 50% staff members testing positive. The majority of positive tested otolaryngologists (126/157; 80.2%) had only mild or no symptoms, 17 developed moderate symptoms (10.8%) and 3 had pneumonia not requiring hospitalization (2%). Five colleagues were admitted at hospital, 4 required ICU (2.5%) and 2 colleges died from COVID-19.

Conclusions: During the first wave of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic otolaryngologists in Spain have been overall the group suffering the highest rate of contagion, particularly during the first month. Subsequently, the Spanish Ministry of Health should include otorhinolaryngologists as a high-risk group in airborne pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; Morbidity; Mortality; Otolaryngology; SARS-CoV-2.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Regional distribution of ENT Departments of COVID ORL ESP collaborative group
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Regional distribution of ENT positive tested
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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