Background: Healthcare workers caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at high risk of contracting the infection. This study is designated in imam Reza hospital in Mashhad, which is the largest hospital in east Iran, to determine COVID-19 cases characteristics among healthcare workers (HCWs).
Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional, single-center study in Imam Reza hospital in Iran, we enrolled confirmed healthcare workers with COVID-19 who worked at the forefront to fight against COVID-19 since its outbreak 2020. Demographic characteristics and work status and disease symptoms were studied in the affected personnel. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. The chi square test was used to investigate the relationship between the variables.
Results: In total, out of 2195 people working in the two departments, 154 (7.01%) had coronary heart disease. most of HCWs who were infected to covid19 were nurse (60%) and women (65%) and the lowest has been observed in para clinical staff (1%). There was no significant difference between the use of personal protective equipment and disease in the general department (GD) and high-risk department (HRD). It was indicated that the HRD group had a higher risk of developing COVID-19 compared with the GD group. Common symptoms were Sweating (91.1%), fever (84.93%), Cough (79.31%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (78.77%).
Conclusion: Results have found that Sweating and fever are common in HCWs with COVID-19. Also HCWs worked in HRD had a higher risk of COVID-19. However, further large sample studies are needed to confirm these findings.