Abstract
ObjectiveThe coronavirus has spread around the world, causing an ongoing pandemic. After the lockdown and quarantine protocols, an evaluation of the population's current emotional state was made through a web-based survey available in both English and Spanish. The objective was to observe how respondents perceived stress and worry as a result of COVID-19.MethodsThe survey gathered data across three sections: socio-demographic data, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) by Cohen, and additional queries on current worries and behaviors due to this pandemic.ResultsThe survey received 1523 respondents from 48 countries. The mean of the PSS-10 score was 17.4 (SD 6.5). Significantly higher scores were observed among women, young adults, students, and those who expressed concern about getting infected and considered themselves high-risk. No significant differences were observed between health professionals and other professions.ConclusionsWe describe an increase in stress levels due to the COVID-19 and point out groups at high risk. These findings could help to address the mental health care that is needed.
Highlights
Towards the end of 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) China Country Office was informed of pneumonia cases with an unknown etiology detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China
We describe an increase in stress levels due to the COVID-19 and point out groups at high risk
COVID-19 can cause anything from mild respiratory problems to pneumonia or death, with men and the elderly the most vulnerable to suffer the severity of this infectious disease
Summary
Towards the end of 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed of pneumonia cases with an unknown etiology detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. On 12 January 2020, China shared the genetic sequence of the novel virus. Since the beginning of the outbreak, what is known as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread subsequently to the rest of the world, causing this respiratory disease to be a pandemic. COVID-19 can cause anything from mild respiratory problems to pneumonia or death, with men and the elderly the most vulnerable to suffer the severity of this infectious disease. Approximately 98% of the global COVID-19 cases are outside China. There were over 3 million confirmed cases and more than 200,000 deaths (mainly in the US and Europe). There was a remarkably high rate of reported cases in Health Care Workers (HCW) among all cases
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