Health Care Associated COVID-19 Infections, infection prevention and hospital epidemiology amongst COVID-19 infected health care personnel in a 1000 bedded tertiary care hospital in Northern India

Abstract

Background: Health Care Workers (HCWs) of all levels and groups are involved in caring for patients and evidence indicates that they are particularly at risk of acquiring Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, due to repeated occupational exposure. Methodology: This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted in Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. Data was collected in a pre-structured questionnaire. Results: Prevalence in HCWs was 21.5% and mortality being 0.3%. 82% were symptomatic. Fatigue was the commonest symptom observed. 290(68%) were doctors and 140(32%) were paramedical staff. Conclusion: This data on prevalence of infection in HCWs can help to plan policies on how to prevent our HCWs and how to use this overstrained health resource in the present difficult times.