Assessing the Burden of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Among Healthcare Workers in Mexico City: A Data-Driven Call to Action
Por:
Antonio-Villa N.E., Bello-Chavolla O.Y., Vargas-Vazquez, Arsenio, Fermin-Martinez, Carlos A., Marquez-Salinas, Alejandro, Pisanty-Alatorre, Julio, Bahena-López J.P.
Publicada:
1 jul 2021
Resumen:
Background. Healthcare workers (HCWs) could be at increased occupational
risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
infections due to increased exposure. Information regarding the burden
of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in HCWs living in Mexico
is scarce. Here, we aimed to explore the epidemiology, symptoms, and
risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in HCWs in Mexico City.
Methods. We explored data collected by the National Epidemiological
Surveillance System in Mexico City, in HCWs who underwent real-time
reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. We
explored COVID-19 outcomes in HCWs and the performance of symptoms to
detect SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results. As of 20 September 2020, 57 758 HCWs were tested for SARS-CoV-2
and 17 531 were confirmed (30.35%); 6610 were nurses (37.70%), 4910
physicians (28.0%), 267 dentists (1.52%), and 5744 laboratory
personnel and other HCWs (32.76%). Overall, 2378 HCWs required
hospitalization (4.12%), 2648 developed severe COVID-19 (4.58%), and
336 required mechanical-ventilatory support (.58%). Lethality was
recorded in 472 (.82%) cases. We identified 635 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2
infections (3.62%). Compared with general population, HCWs had higher
incidence, testing, asymptomatic cases, and mortality rates. No
individual symptom offers adequate performance to detect SARS-CoV2.
Older HCWs with chronic noncommunicable diseases and severe respiratory
symptoms were associated with higher risk for adverse outcome;
physicians were at higher risk compared with nurses and other HCWs.
Conclusions. We report a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs
in Mexico City. Symptoms as a screening method are not efficient to
discern those HCWs with a positive PCR-RT test. Particular attention
should focus on HCWs with risk factors to prevent adverse outcomes.
Filiaciones:
Antonio-Villa N.E.:
Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Bello-Chavolla O.Y.:
Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de GeriatríaMexico City, Mexico
Vargas-Vazquez, Arsenio:
Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Fermin-Martinez, Carlos A.:
Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Marquez-Salinas, Alejandro:
Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Pisanty-Alatorre, Julio:
Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro SocialMexico City, Mexico
Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Bahena-López J.P.:
Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of MexicoMexico City, Mexico
Green Submitted, Bronze, Green Published, Green
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