Morbidity with a temporary disability of employees of medical institutions under a new coronavirus infection

Introduction. During the expanding epidemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 in our country, medical workers were one of the groups at the increased risk of infection. Simultaneously, certain information about the number of cases and duration of this disease in medical workers is not available in official sources. However, this information is necessary to develop effective preventive measures, assess economic damage from a temporary disability, and the planning of medical personnel in emergency epidemic conditions.

Purpose of study. To investigate the incidence of the temporary disability of employees of a medical institution with a new coronavirus infection connected with the performance of their occupational duties to assess the health risks for medical workers, develop appropriate measures to improve the safety system of their work.

Material and methods. The study was conducted by a continuous process based on the country’s largest repurposed infectious diseases hospital to treat COVID-19 patients using the classical method of analyzing morbidity rates with the temporary disability.

Results. The dynamics of the main indices of the morbidity with the temporary disability since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic was revealed. Features of the morbidity by groups of personnel working in the ”red“ and ”green“ zones of the infectious hospital are established. The incidence of medical personnel providing medical care to patients with COVID-19 was proved to be associated with the implementation of professional activities, but not in all cases. This type of personnel is also subject to risks of infection outside the medical institution. 

Conclusion. For effective prevention, it is necessary to consider that working in the “red” zone significantly increases the risk of COVID-19, regardless of the category of medical personnel.