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. 2022 Aug;28(8):1624-1641.
doi: 10.3201/eid2808.212200. Epub 2022 Jul 7.

COVID-19 Symptoms and Deaths among Healthcare Workers, United States

Shao Lin, Xinlei Deng, Ian Ryan, Kai Zhang, Wangjian Zhang, Ese Oghaghare, DeeDee Bennett Gayle, Benjamin Shaw

COVID-19 Symptoms and Deaths among Healthcare Workers, United States

Shao Lin et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

We evaluated whether demographics and COVID-19 symptoms predicted COVID-19 deaths among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States by comparing COVID-19 deaths in HCWs with 3 control groups (HCW nondeaths, non-HCW deaths, and non-HCW nondeaths) using a case-control design. We obtained patient-level data of 33 variables reported during January 1, 2020-October 12, 2021, in all US states. We used logistic regression analysis while controlling for confounders. We found that persons who were >50 years of age, male, Black, or Asian experienced significantly more deaths than matched controls. In addition, HCWs who died had higher risks for the most severe clinical indicators. We also found that the most indicative symptoms were preexisting medical conditions, shortness of breath, fever, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms. In summary, minority, male, and older HCWs had greater risk for COVID-19 death. Severe clinical indicators and specific symptoms may predict COVID-19-related deaths among HCWs.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; United States; coronavirus disease; deaths; demographics; health status indicators; healthcare workers; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Comparison of COVID-19 cases and deaths among HCWs and in the non-HCW population, United States, January 2020–October 2021. A) Confirmed cases in HCW. B) HCW deaths. C) Confirmed cases in the non-HCW population. D) Confirmed deaths in non-HCW population. HCW, healthcare worker.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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