Transmission and Clinical Characteristic of COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers: Cross-sectional Study

Objective: Frontline healthcare workers (HCW) exposed to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients at their work environment are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease. The aim of this study was to research the COVID-19 risks due to the occupational exposure of HCW and the clinical characteristics of the affected. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, HCW, employed by The Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between 20th March 2020 to 20th May 2020 were analysed. Results: A total of 128 (3.8%) HCW were diagnosed with COVID-19. Most of the infected HCW were medical staff (34%), nurses (24%), physicians (22%) and staff with no patient contact (20%). Fifty-six percent of the infected HCW were working in COVID-19 wards and out-patient clinics. Twenty-nine percent acquired the infection in hospital from an index patient and 32% of them from an infected HCW. The highest transmission was during the sharing of the same environment (53%) like offices. Thirteen per cent of the HCW took the virus during examination or treatment, 31% of the individuals were unaware of the transmission. The number of the infected HCW was higher during the beginning of the outbreak in Turkey. The symptomatic cases were more (88%) than the asymptomatic cases (12%). A total of 28 (22%) HCW were hospitalised and only 4% of the cases were severe. Conclusion: The asymptomatic COVID-19 carrying HCW are to be considered as the source of the spread of the disease among their colleagues. Stricter measures should be implemented to prevent in-hospital transmission. © 2021 by Türkiye Klinikleri.