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Occupational COVID-19 Exposures and Illnesses among Workers in California—Analysis of a New Occupational COVID-19 Surveillance System

Author

Listed:
  • David Pham Bui

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Heluna Health, City of Industry, CA 91746, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kathryn Gibb

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Martha Fiellin

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA 94607, USA)

  • Andrea Rodriguez

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA 94607, USA)

  • Claire Majka

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA 94607, USA)

  • Carolina Espineli

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA 94607, USA)

  • Elisabeth Gebreegziabher

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Heluna Health, City of Industry, CA 91746, USA)

  • Jennifer Flattery

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Ximena P. Vergara

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
    Heluna Health, City of Industry, CA 91746, USA)

Abstract

Little is known about occupational SARS-CoV-2 exposures and COVID-19 outcomes. We established a Doctor’s First Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness (DFR)-based surveillance system to study cases of work-related COVID-19 exposures and disease. The surveillance data included demographics, occupation, industry, exposure, and illness, details including hospitalization and lost work. We classified workers into ‘healthcare’, non-healthcare ‘public-facing’, or ‘other’ worker groups, and rural–urban commuting areas (RUCAs). We describe worker exposures and outcomes overall by worker group and RUCA. We analyzed 2848 COVID-19 DFRs representing workers in 22 detailed occupation groups and 19 industry groups. Most DFRs were for workers in metropolitan RUCAs (89%) and those in healthcare (42%) and public-facing (24%) worker groups. While DFRs were from 382 unique worksites, 52% were from four hospitals and one prison. Among 1063 DFRs with a suspected exposure, 73% suspected exposure to a patient or client. Few DFRs indicated hospitalization (3.9%); however, the proportion hospitalized was higher among nonmetropolitan (7.4%) and public-facing (6.7%) workers. While 56% of DFRs indicated some lost work time, the proportion was highest among public-facing (80%) workers. Healthcare and prison workers were the majority of reported occupational COVID-19 exposures and illnesses. The risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and lost work may be highest among nonmetropolitan and public-facing workers.

Suggested Citation

  • David Pham Bui & Kathryn Gibb & Martha Fiellin & Andrea Rodriguez & Claire Majka & Carolina Espineli & Elisabeth Gebreegziabher & Jennifer Flattery & Ximena P. Vergara, 2023. "Occupational COVID-19 Exposures and Illnesses among Workers in California—Analysis of a New Occupational COVID-19 Surveillance System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6307-:d:1188088
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kathryn Gibb & David Pham Bui & Ximena P. Vergara, 2023. "Increases in Prevalent Depressed Mood and Suicidal Ideation among Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Findings from the California Health Interview Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Azaroff, L.S. & Levenstein, C. & Wegman, D.H., 2002. "Occupational injury and illness surveillance: Conceptual filters explain underreporting," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(9), pages 1421-1429.
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