Covid-19 bei Beschäftigten im Gesundheitsdienst und in der Wohlfahrtspflege

Covid-19 in health and social welfare workers Objectives: We give details of reports of suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections and Covid-19 disease among health workers (HW). In addition, we describe the provision of support for health workers from the Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Reports on suspected cases of an occupational disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19 are stored in a special data bank. These data were analysed up to and including 30.02.2020. In addition, the website www.bgw-online.de was searched for the offers of psychological support provided by BGW during the pandemic. Results: 1,920 reports of suspected cases have now been filed after the diagnosis of a SARS-CoV-2 infection among HW. This number is twice that for all infection reports normally filed in a normal year. The mortality rate among HW infected with SARS-CoV-2 is 0.3%. Doctors suffer severe symptoms more often than other occupational groups (8.3% compared to 3.1%). The pandemic is increasing psychological strain among HW and they are therefore making use of psychological support provided by the BGW. Conclusions: Knowledge about the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HW is still limited but our data indicate that they are much affected, as shown by the mortality rate after infection. Occupational health examinations are currently being undertaken to screen for Covid-19 and these are to be analysed systematically in order to gain a further insight into the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HW. Keywords: corona pandemic – SARS-CoV-2 – mortality rate – health worker