COVID-19 im Hinblick auf Arbeitsmedizin und Öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienst

BACKGROUND: Healthcare personnel (HCP) have an occupation-related risk of an infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and can transmit COVID-19 to patients. The related occupational disease is the BK 3101. OBJECTIVE: The frequency of suspected claims of occupation-related SARS-CoV‑2 infections and confirmed claims of COVID-19 occupational diseases, reporting obligations under the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG) and mandatory notification requirements of physicians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Selective literature search with special respect to data of accident insurance institutions regarding occupation-related SARS-CoV‑2 infections among HCP. RESULTS: The SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic also represents a challenge for occupational healthcare and the public health service. In recent months an increased number of suspected cases of an occupational disease (BK 3101) associated with COVID-19 were registered at the accident insurance institutions as well as notifications of accidents at work. The public health service handles registrations under the IfSG and coordinates the tracking of contact persons. CONCLUSION: Occupation-related SARS-CoV‑2 infections are a real reason for concern. The registration data of the accident insurance institutions confirm high case numbers. Preventive measures, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 vaccinations significantly reduce the risk of infection among HCP as well as the risk of nosocomial transmission to patients.