COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus as an occupational disease of medical professionals

• Published in: Medycyna ogólna i nauki o zdrowiu Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 235 - 243
• Main Authors: Chmielewski, Jarosław, Raczek, Melanie, Puścion, Marta, Chmielowiec, Bartłomiej, Pawlas, Natalia, Łuszczki, Jarogniew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Rural Health 27.09.2021
• Subjects: covid-19; health care; medical professionals; occupational disease; pandemic; sars-cov-2
• ISSN: 2083-4543; 2084-4905
• DOI: 10.26444/monz/139319

Introduction and objective COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has serious consequences for medical professionals. It should be noted that until 4 January, 2021, there were 145 deaths in Poland among members of various medical professionals due to (direct or indirect) COVID-19 infection. Until 5 January, 2021, there were 84,821 cases of persons infected with the virus, and 287,162 quarantine referrals. The aim of the study is presentation of the problem of COVID-19 as an occupational disease of medical professionals. Review methods A review of scientific literature was performed, using scientific medical databases, such as PubMed, SCOPUS, Google scholar, and legal database: Legalis. The following keywords were used to conduct the review: ‹COVID-19›, ‹SARS-CoV-2›, ‹working conditions›, ‹infectious diseases›, and ‹occupational diseases›. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge Data from studies and reports indicate that medical professionals are most at risk for COVID-19 infection in their workplace. The article, in addition to discussing issues related to the epidemiological situation, in particular data on infections, deaths and quarantine of health care professionals, risk of infection at the place of work or provision of services, also arouses questions related to the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. For this purpose both, the common court decisions and doctrinal positions are presented. In this regard, the actions undertaken by the Ministry of Health and the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate were also indicated, especially the issued guidelines and recommendations. Summary The epidemiological situation, working conditions of medical professionals and, in particular, direct contact with patients indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 should be recognized as an occupational disease affecting medical professionals.