Morbidity rate of COVID-19 among the emergency ward workers in Ryazan
The biological factor is one of the leading adverse labor factors for medical workers. Establishing risk factors of exposure to COVID-19 within this occupational group is a relevant hygienic task. The purpose of the study is to examine the morbidity in coronavirus among the emergency ward workers and determine risk factors of occupational infection. The morbidity rate of COVID-19 among the emergency ward workers in Ryazan for 2020-2021 has been analyzed. The highest risk of COVID-19 infection was established for medical workers of mobile teams. The infection risks for drivers and medical workers were comparable. Comparative analysis of COVID-19 infection rates for drivers and employees of the ward not engaged in mobile teams confirms higher risks of infection of mobile team workers, including the ones who do not participate in provision of medical aid directly. High morbidity rates and statistically significant probability of a more severe course of the disease among mobile team medical workers as compared to drivers and employees not engaged in mobile teams are probably not accidental, and are due to a closer contact with a patient while providing medical aid and, as a consequence, a higher viral load that partially determines the disease severity. Emergency ward workers have a high occupational risk of exposure to COVID-19 during the pandemic. Mobile team medical workers and drivers are at higher risk of developing the novel coronavirus infection. Emergency care mobile team medical personnel are subjected to the highest risk of a more severe course of the disease.