Epidemiological features of COVID-19 in healthcare workers

Aim . To study regional features of the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare workers. Materials and Methods . We conducted a descriptive epidemiological study of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in healthcare workers and general population of the Kemerovo Region during the pandemic (2020‒2022). The study included analysis of pandemic intensity, and the structure of incidence by sex, age, and medical specialty. To evaluate epidemic dynamics, we estimated the growth rate and increase rate (%) of incidence and mortality. Data on COVID-19 cases were obtained from the Federal Statistical Reporting Form No. 2 “Information on Infectious and Parasitic Diseases,” the Federal Register of COVID-19 Patients for 2020‒2022 (total number of cases: 212,997, including 7,513 healthcare workers), and Statistical Form No. 30 “Information on Medical Organizations” for 2020‒2022 (total number of healthcare workers: 99,848), autopsy reports, and Form No. 013/u (n = 2,848). We have also analyzed the results of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing among healthcare workers in Kemerovo Region in 2020 (n = 41,355) prior to the start of the vaccination. Results. The incidence of COVID-19 in healthcare workers was 2.77-fold higher than in the rest of the population (average long-term (2020‒2022) incidence among the healthcare workers was 7524.4 per 100,000 (95% CI [7386.9‒7661.9]). Mortality among healthcare workers was 17.9 per 100,000, and was 2.24-fold lower than in the rest of the population. Following the introduction of vaccination in 2021, the incidence among the healthcare workers decreased (5,587.5 per 100,000 (95 % CI [5485.1‒5689.9], reduction rate = 14.48 %), and mortality declined by 1.63-fold. Internists and general practitioners were affected more frequently as compared with other specialties (344.83 per 1,000 doctors of this category). During the pandemic, the most vulnerable age group among healthcare workers was 50–64 years old (7,491.8 per 100,000). Conclusion . The incidence of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Kemerovo Region was 2.77-fold higher than in the general population. The highest incidence was observed among physicians (107.6 per 1,000), with maximum rates among outpatient internists and general practitioners (344.8 per 1,000). The mortality from COVID-19 among healthcare workers was 2.24-fold lower than in the general population. To improve the protection of medical personnel from biological risks, it is necessary to continue studying the experience of the pandemic, including its regional features.