Results of a national web-based survey on the SARS-CoV-2 infectious state of otorhinolaryngologists in Germany
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Results of a national web‑based survey on the SARS‑CoV‑2 infectious state of otorhinolaryngologists in Germany Michael Herzog1 · Achim G. Beule2,6 · Jan‑Christoffer Lüers3 · Orlando Guntinas‑Lichius4 · Leigh J. Sowerby5 · Daniel Grafmans1 Received: 4 August 2020 / Accepted: 28 August 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Purpose SARS-CoV-2 is detected on the mucosa of the upper airways to a high degree. In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, otorhinolaryngologists (ORL) are assumed to be at high risk due to close contact with the mucosa of the upper airways. No data are yet available providing evidence that ORLs have an increased risk of infection. Methods German ORLs were invited via e-mail through the German Society of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery and the German ENT Association to participate in a web-based survey about infection with SARS-CoV-2 and development of COVID19. Data of infections and concomitant parameters in German ORLs were collected and compared to the total number of infections in Germany. Results Out of 6383 German ORLs, 970 (15%) participated. 54 ORLs reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Compared to the total population of Germany, ORLs have a relative risk of 3.67 (95% CI 2.82; 4.79) of contracting SARS-CoV-2. Domestic quarantine was conducted in 96.3% of cases. Two individuals were admitted to hospital without intensive care. No casualties were reported. In 31 cases, the source of infection was not identifiable whereas 23 had a clear medical aetiology: infected patients: n = 5, 9.26%; medical staff: n = 13, 14.1%. 9.26% (n = 5) of the identified cases were related to contact to infected family members (n = 3), closer neighbourhood (n = 1) or general public (n = 1). There was no identified increased risk of infection due to performing surgery. Conclusion German ORLs have an almost 3.7-fold risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 compared to the population baseline level. Appropriate protection appears to be necessary for this occupational group. Keywords Health care worker · SARS-CoV-2 · COVID-19 · ENT · Upper airway · ORL
Introduction * Michael Herzog [email protected] 1
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, CarlThiem-Klinikum, Thiemstr. 111, 03048 Cottbus, Germany
2
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Münster, Munster, Germany
3
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
4
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
5
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada
6
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on health care professionals all over the world. Anecdotal case reports at a relatively early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic suggested a higher risk for otorhinolaryngologists (ORLs) to contract SARS-CoV
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