CDC: COVID-19-associated hospitalizations of HCWs

Editor's Note

In the October 26 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, an analysis led by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of hospitalization data from 13 states found that 5.9% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 1 and May 31 were healthcare workers (HCWs).

Among those HCWs:

• 36.3% were in nursing-related occupations (eg, 27.8% RNs, 8.5% CNAs, 6.6% patient aides and caregivers).
• 89.8% had at least one underlying condition (eg, 40.6% hypertension, 30.9% diabetes)
• 72.5% were obese
• 27.5% were admitted to an ICU
• 15.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation
• 4.2% died during hospitalization.

The median length of hospitalization was 4 days, and COVID-19 investigational treatments were administered to nearly half (48.2%) of the hospitalized HCWs.

Further understanding of exposure risks for COVID-19 infection in HCWs is important to inform additional prevention strategies for these essential workers, the researchers say.