Occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection : healthcare workers versus the general population

Abstract

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus resulted in a deadly global pandemic that was only recently (May 2023) downgraded from a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Given that healthcare workers are historically vulnerable to a range of pathogens as front-line workers, the author has chosen to explore the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers. The Research Question: Do healthcare workers have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general community population? PICO Elements: The population (P) – Healthcare workers. The intervention (or Exposure) – Positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. The comparison (C) – General community population. The outcome (O) – Higher risk of infection. Method: The inclusion and exclusion criteria mandated an English study, produced since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comparing a sample population of healthcare workers to a relevant general community population for infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The search retrieved three prospective cohort studies that were subsequently appraised by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool for cohorts. Results: The results showed that there is a greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers compared to the general population. Implications and Recommendations: The elevated risk of infection of SARS-CoV-2 within the healthcare sector highlights the necessity for adequate policy and practice to protect the interests of healthcare workers against occupational hazards. Adhering to standard precautions, being vaccinated, and following institutional infection control policy all assist in reducing transmission of the SARS-COV-2 virus.