Evaluation of physical and psychological status of health care workers infected with COVID-19 during a hospital outbreak in Japan

PURPOSE: COVID-19 causes physical and psychological impacts on health care workers (HCWs), especially when it occurs during an outbreak. As there are few reports on outcomes of HCWs infected with COVID-19 during a hospital outbreak, we investigated the physical and psychological impacts on HCWs infected with COVID-19 during an outbreak in our hospital. METHODS: During the outbreak in our hospital, 231 people were infected with COVID-19 including patients, HCWs and their families. Among them, 83 HCWs were enrolled in this study. Current quality of life (QOL) was assessed with the EuroQol-visual analogue scales (EQ-VAS), and motivation to keep on working was evaluated by a 10-point analogue scale. Physiological recovery rates including return to work (RTW) period were also analyzed. RESULTS: One nurse quit work due to anxiety regarding re-infection with COVID-19. The median period to RTW from the diagnosis was 14.0 (12.0–17.0) days. Motivation to keep on working was slightly reduced, and the EQ-VAS was 75.0 (65.0–83.6). There were no significant differences in QOL and motivation between male and female HCWs, nurses and other HCWs, treatment and non-treatment group, and supplemental and non-supplemental oxygen group. The most frequent persistent symptoms at 1,3 and 6 months after infection were anosmia followed by fatigue. CONCLUSION: Although QOL and motivation to keep on working were slightly reduced, only one HCW quit work. No severe persistent symptoms were observed, and the RTW period was relatively short.