A study examined data from 158,445 healthcare workers and 229,905 households in Scotland.
Healthcare workers and their households account for one in six COVID-19 related hospital admissions, a new study has discovered.
The research published in the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and undertaken by the University of Glasgow alongside Public Health Scotland looked at data from 158,445 healthcare workers and 229,905 households in Scotland.
Researchers found that patient-facing roles such as doctors and nurses, and their households, were most at risk requiring hospital admission – making up 17.2% of all COVID-19 related hospital admission.
After being admitted to hospital, one in eight healthcare workers and one in five household members required admission to critical care units.
Sadly, 2.5% of healthcare workers and 12.9% of household members ultimately died.
Protecting staff.
Dr Anoop Shah, from LSHTM and study co-author, said; “Those healthcare workers delivering direct patient care and their household members are at a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation with significant implications for not only their health, but also in continuing to deliver healthcare for the general population.”
Dr David McAllister, Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow and Beit Fellow, who is a public health doctor based at the University of Glasgow, responded to the study; “Healthcare workers continue to play a vital role in our response to the pandemic, every day.
“It is vital that we understand the risks associated with COVID-19 for them and their families, and not just for their own health, but also so that we can protect and plan for the workforce in the future.
“This work helps us to do that. It highlights that whilst the risk for many healthcare staff is similar to that of the general population, there is higher risk to some staff.
“Knowing this can help us to take action to protect those staff at greatest risk as we work through this pandemic.”
