- At least 9,282 healthcare workers in the US have contracted the novel coronavirus, according to a report published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Of the thousands of healthcare workers who have tested positive for the virus, 27 have died, the CDC said.
- The number of cases is likely an underestimation, because information about whether patients were healthcare workers was only collected on 16% of the 315,531 coronavirus cases reported between February 12 and April 9.
- The CDC data shows the outbreak's toll on the front lines of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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In the US, nearly 10,000 healthcare workers have been infected with the novel coronavirus, according to new federal data that provides the most comprehensive look yet at the outbreak's toll on frontline professionals.
Between February 12 and April 9, at least 9,282 healthcare workers in the US have contracted the novel coronavirus, according to a report published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of the thousands who have tested positive for the virus, 27 healthcare workers have died, the CDC reported. The number of cases in healthcare workers is approximately 3% of the 315,531 COVID-19 cases reported to the CDC over the time period, though the agency said in its report that it's like an underestimate, because data about whether patients were healthcare workers was only available in about 16% of the cases.
In some states, healthcare workers accounted for roughly 11% of the total COVID-19 cases, the CDC said.
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Healthcare workers in the US risk being exposed to the novel coronavirus virus in great numbers and falling ill because of it.
In New York City, the area in the US hardest hit by the pandemic, some healthcare workers told Business Insider they aren't being tested if they come down with symptoms. Others are being told to work even if they have the coronavirus. Many feel ill-prepared to care for patients based on the protective gear they've been given, or because they're contending with shortages of gear.
Already, in Spain, Italy, and China thousands of healthcare workers, have fallen ill from the novel coronavirus over the course of the outbreak, accounting for a large percentage of the overall cases. More than 40 healthcare workers in Italy have died.
The median age of healthcare workers with the coronavirus was 42 years old. The healthcare workers were predominantly women, accounting for 73% of all cases. More than half reported contact with coronavirus patients in the workplace, and 92% reported having symptoms related to COVID-19 including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.