Delayed healthcare seeking and prolonged illness in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-centre observational study.

Angus de WiltonEliz KilichZain ChaudhryLucy Ck BellJoshua GahirJane CadmanRobert A LeverSarah A Logannull null

Published in: BMJ open (2020)

There was a significant increase in staff reporting illness compatible with possible COVID-19 during March 2020. Subsequent serology studies at the same hospital study site have confirmed sero-positivity for COVID-19 up to 45% by the end of April 2020 in frontline HCWs. The study revealed a concerning lack of healthcare seeking in respondents with significant red flag symptoms (severe breathlessness, hypoxia). This study also highlighted anosmia as a key symptom of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, prior to this symptom being more widely recognised as a feature of COVID-19.

Keyphrases

coronavirus disease
sars cov
healthcare
mental health
emergency department
early onset
social media
adverse drug
single cell