COVID 19 in Health Professionals: Profile of 15540 Medical Care and Description of Positive Cases

Abstract

Health workers are the main group exposed to COVID-19. Until Feb 9 2021, there were in Brazil 9599565 infected people and at least 30 serotypes of the virus were identified there. <b>Objective:</b> Knowing the health professional (HP) profile of biggest Latin American hospital and which are the initial symptoms to better understand the disease. This study describes healthcare profile of workers with COVID-19 symptoms in a 22000 employees’ hospital, Apr 13 2020-Feb 10 2021. Data was collected from exclusive registration system of medical attendance for symptomatic HP. <b>Results:</b> There were 15540 medical attendances, of which 10660 RT/PCR exams were collected and 3034 (28,5%) had it positive to COVID-19. According to professional category, there were 36,1% positive cases (PC) in the nursing team, 19,2% doctors, 12,3% multiprofessional health workers, 30,7% from other positions and 1,6% weren’t identified. 74,0% were female professionals and the average age of PC was 38,4 yo. The main symptoms in PC were: 67,7% headache, 61,1% coughing, 55,1%, odynophagia, 44,8%, coryza, 36,5% adynamia, 35,9% fever, 14,5% diarrhea, 13,2% dyspnea, 12,3% nausea/vomiting, 0,1% irritability/confusion. 385 had comorbidities: 70,4% cardiovascular disease and 20,8% pulmonary diseases. 65,3% knew who could had passed them the disease and to 70,0% it happened at work. Comparing to all symptomatic people in 15540 medical attendances, the percentage of symptoms was similar to PC. <b>Conclusion:</b> It’s easier to identify sick people profile and to create specific measures at healthcare if exclusive healthcare is provided to workers. It’s important to collect RT/PCR of symptomatic group to diagnose new cases of COVID-19.