Healthcare workers account for a fifth of the COVID-19 cases recently reported to the federal government that included work information. This is likely an underestimation, as occupational status was reported in only 16% of cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Overall, about 3% (9,282 of 315,531) of reported cases were among healthcare professionals, but these workers accounted for 11% of cases in states with more complete reporting. In addition, care providers with mild or asymptomatic infections may have been less likely to be tested and reported, CDC researchers surmised.
The demographics of these workers reflects that of the overall workforce: The median age was 42, and three quarters were female. The sickened care providers had been in contact with COVID-19 patients in work, community and/or household settings. Most were not hospitalized, but severe outcomes including death were reported among all age groups. Deaths occurred more frequently in workers ages 65 and older.
More information is available in the CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report.
In other coronavirus news …
NIH: Decontaminated N95s can maintain integrity for up to three uses: N95 respirators can be decontaminated effectively and maintain functional integrity for up to three uses, according to a study released prior to peer review by the National Institutes of Health. Vaporized hydrogen peroxide was shown to be the most effective disinfection method. Ultraviolet (UV) light and dry heat were acceptable when applied for at least 60 minutes. Ethanol spray is not recommended. Fit and seal should be checked before each re-use, the researchers added.
Six feet not far enough, finds ‘cough chamber’ study: Droplets from a cough will reach six feet away within three seconds and continue to project forward well beyond that distance, according to researchers from Western University, Canada. The researchers in 2018 used a “cough chamber” to analyze expulsive airflows from human subjects diagnosed with influenza. You can watch the cough chamber simulation here.
More evidence found for symptomless COVID-19 transmission: People with COVID-19 may transmit the disease several days before noticeable symptoms appear, according to a study published Wednesday. Investigators estimate that 44% of secondary cases in a transmission chain are infected during the pre-symptomatic stage.
FDA approves saliva test for coronavirus: A test that uses saliva to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection has been issued emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. The test may be “more quick and scalable than swab collections” since it allows self-collection, say developers from Rutgers University, New Jersey. Similar tests are in development elsewhere.
