Clinical and behavioural characteristics of self-isolating healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-centre observational study

摘要: Objectives:To describe a cohort of self-isolating healthcare workers (HCWs) with presumed COVID-19. Design: A cross-sectional, single-centre study. Setting: large, teaching hospital based in Central London tertiary infection services. Participants: 236 HCWs completed survey distributed by internal staff email bulletin. 167 were female and 65 male. Measures: Information on symptomatology, exposures health-seeking behaviour collected from participants self-report. Results: The respondents reported illness compatible COVID-19 there was an increase reporting during March 2020. Diagnostic swabs not routinely performed. Cough (n=179, 75.8%), fever (n=138, 58.5%), breathlessness (n=84, 35.6%) reported. Anosmia 42.2%. Fever generally settled within 1 week (n=110, 88%). Several remained at home did seek formal medical attention despite severe measuring hypoxia (n=5/9, 55.6%). 2 patients required admission but recovered following oxygen therapy. 84 (41.2%) greater than the obligated 7 days off work 9 3 weeks off. Conclusion: There significant possible Conclusions cannot be drawn about exact numbers confirmed cases due to lack diagnostic swabbing. anosmia; as well early non-specific prior onset cough fever. This may represent pre-symptomatic who are likely infectious thus criteria for isolation swabbing should broadened. study also revealed concerning seeking red flag symptoms (severe breathlessness, hypoxia). addressed urgently reduce risk disease being detected late. Finally, this inform trusts that require longer recover illness.