Morbidity and absenteeism due to SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza in health care personnel during the 2023 to 2024 season: A multicenter cohort study in Greece

Abstract

Background: To assess the morbidity and absenteeism due to SARS-CoV-2 infection or influenza among health care personnel (HCP) in Greece in 2023 to 2024.

Methods: We followed 5,871 HCP from November 2023 to May 2024. A multivariable regression was used to estimate the association between length of absenteeism, HCP characteristics, and type of infection.

Results: There were 759 episodes of absenteeism during the study period. The mean duration of absence per episode was 4.5days and the total duration of absence was 3,434days. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 507 (8.6%) HCP, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in 10 (0.2%) HCP, and influenza in 88 (1.5%). COVID-19, influenza, and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection accounted for 66.8%, 11.6%, and 1.3% of episodes of absenteeism, respectively. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 infection and influenza accounted for 76.5% and 9.7% of total days missed, respectively. Presenteeism was recorded in 113 (14.9%) HCP. The multivariable regression model found that having SARS-CoV-2 infection and having at least 1 comorbidity were associated with a mean of 1.76 and 0.25 more days of work absence compared with those with no SARS-CoV-2 infection and no comorbidity, respectively (confidence intervals: 1.55-1.98 and 0.05-0.46, respectively).

Conclusions: COVID-19 remains the major driver of absenteeism among HCP.

Keywords: COVID-19; Omicron; healthcare workers; hospitals.