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. 2021 Mar 17;18(1):58.
doi: 10.1186/s12985-021-01532-0.

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

Golnar Sabetian  1 , Mohsen Moghadami  2 , Leila Hashemizadeh Fard Haghighi  3 , Reza Shahriarirad  4   5 , Mohammad Javad Fallahi  6   7 , Naeimehossadat Asmarian  8 , Yalda Sadat Moeini  8
Affiliations

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

Golnar Sabetian et al. Virol J. .

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Iran.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Geographic information system mapping of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in Fars province. a Geographical location of Fars province based on the map of Iran b population of cities in Fars province (× 105) c COVID-19 infection rate among healthcare workers (HCW) based on number of cases among cities in Fars province; d COVID-19 infection ratio based on total healthcare workers among cities in Fars province (percentage of number of HCW with positive COVID-19 divided by total number of HCW in the mentioned city)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Incidence of COVID-19 infection among the general population and medical staff in Fars, Iran from 10 March to 17 May, 2020
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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