Risk Profiling of the Occupational Exposure of COVID-19 to Healthcare Workers.

Risk of transmission of COVID-19 virus to healthcare workers (HCWs) is matter of debate since the start of this pandemic. In absence of adequate research, the transmission risk is based on non-human studies, non-HCWs epidemiological studies and experiences from previous pandemics or epidemics. The true magnitude of the risk to HCWs has not been clearly estimated. In absence of good scientific data, general recommendations create confusion and mistrust among HCWs. Besides lots of myth and misconceptions among the HCWs including physician adds to emotional and physical challenge in reduction of nosocomial transmission of COVID-19.

COVID-19 related lockdowns have disrupted the global supply-chain and good quality personal protective equipment (PPE) has become an intense matter of discussion from the start of pandemic. The rational use of PPE has become necessity to ensure sustained supply to those who need it in the frontline. In absence of reliable risk assessment and management based on true incidence calculation leads to either inadequate or overestimation of risk and unjustified use of PPE. The reported global data for occupational risk of COVID -19 for HCW varies greatly but it is reported to be higher than general populations. However, many of these studies has significant limitations, like inadequate risk assessment, community transmission is not accounted or all HCWs not included for analysis.

The investigators propose to conduct a retrospective study to define and quantify the variable occupational and non-occupational risk among various HCWs, to determine the rates of acquisition in the context of level of PPE use and other infection control measures recommended for COVID-19 and also to define the risk of secondary disease transmission to other household members of participants.

Inclusion criteria

1.2.1 All staffs that are currently working in included hospitals and clinic in 1.2.1.1 Laboratory confirmed positive case- A positive case is where COVID-19 virus is detected through real time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) either through oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab which were conducted on HCWs based on national guidelines of UAE and are based on either symptoms, or as part of contact tracing or history of recent international travel.

1.2.1.2 Laboratory confirmed positive case with history of occupational exposure- through contact tracing after an exposure to a known COVID -19 patient in a healthcare setting.

1.2.1.3 Laboratory confirmed positive case with no history of occupational exposure- non-occupational exposures include situations where there was no probable workplace exposure for the healthcare worker, and a community source for the infection through household contact, travel, gathering in public places or visiting to affected area as most likely source of exposure is identified.

Exclusion criteria

Staff who refused to participate or withdraw there consent during the study.