Title:Features of the Course of COVID-19 in Health Care Workers of a Non-infectious
Hospital
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Marina Leonova*Oleg Gaisenok
Affiliation:
- IPO Society for Pharmacoeconomic Research, Moscow, Russia
Keywords:
Health care workers, non-infectious hospital, COVID-19, symptoms, COVID pneumonia, pharmacotherapy.
Abstract: Background: Health Care Workers (HCWs) are at high risk of SARS-COV-2 infection
and COVID-19 disease, not only in the chain of care for COVID-19 patients but also in non-infectious
health care organizations that provide routine medical care to the population.
Objective: To analyze features of the course of COVID-19 in HCWs of a non-infectious hospital
(non-IH).
Methods and Materials: A retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases of HCWs of a non-infectious
hospital (non-IH) due to a local outbreak during the “second wave” of the pandemic, despite the
use of PPE.
Results: 7 HCWs out of 23 employees were infected and had a confirmed COVID-19 infection.
All pointed to the presence of contact at work (patients, colleagues) as the main possible contamination
factor. The development of COVID-pneumonia was observed in 4 persons; 2 of them were hospitalized.
The most common symptoms were fever with a maximum temperature rise of 37.8-39
°C, weakness, chest pain, cough, and loss of smell. The duration of the persistence of symptoms of
the disease was up to 16 days. The elimination of coronavirus in most patients was noted after the
10th day.
Conclusion: HCWs in non-IH providing routine medical care are at increased risk of contracting
COVID-19 due to contact with infected patients or colleagues. The development of COVID-19 disease
in HCWs leads to long-term disability, which creates tension in the work of non-IH. To reduce
the risk of infection for non-IH HCWs, stated precautions are necessary: strict adherence to
PPE use, mandatory testing of SARS-COV-2, and planning observational wards for unexamined
patients hospitalized for medical care for other indications.
