COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in a national healthcare system: The Qatar experience

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) in a national healthcare system and to understand the risk factors for infection. METHODS: The study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar, a national healthcare system with 14 hospitals and >28,000 employees, between March 10 and June 24, 2020. Data on COVID-19+ HCWs were retrieved from the electronic health records and employment records, followed by an email survey and a focused telephone interview. RESULTS: Among 16,912 HCWs tested, 10.6% tested positive. Hospitalization rate was 11.6%, 1.3% required supplemental oxygen, 0.6% needed intensive care unit admission, and 0.3% required mechanical ventilation. There were no deaths. In a follow-up survey of 393 HCWs, 5% reported acquiring infection at a COVID-19-designated facility and 95% at a non-COVID-19 facility having acquired the infection through accidental exposure to a colleague (45%) or a patient (29%). Full personal protective equipment (PPE) adherence was 82% at COVID-19-designated facilities but only 68% at non-COVID-19 facilities. CONCLUSIONS: COVID- 19 infection among HCWs often occurs among those not directly working with COVID-19 patients. PPE use is less stringent in such settings. Risk of exposure and need for strict PPE must be stressed upon all HCWs in all settings.