Severe virus infection risk seven times greater in health care

Health care workers such as doctors and nurses are seven times as likely to have severe COVID-19 infection as those with other types of non-essential jobs, according to research conducted in the United Kingdom and published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

 

The study included 120,075 employees between the ages of 49 and 64. Of them, 35,127, or 29%, were classified as essential workers in health care (9%); social care and education (11%); ‘other’ to include police and those working in transport and food preparation (9%), according to findings released in a statement Tuesday. Researchers relied on data from the UK Biobank study (2006-10), COVID-19 test results from Public Health England, and recorded deaths for the period March 16-July 26, 2020.

 

According to the study, severe infection was defined as a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, while in hospital, or death attributable to the virus.

 

The study also found that those with jobs in the social care and transport sectors are twice as likely to suffer severe infections, according to the statement.

 

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.