Progress of COVID-19 survivors and the impact of the infection on their ability to return to work

P138 Table 1Employment status of COVID-19 dischargesN 138 Essential services 41 (30) Office/admin 37 (27) Healthcare 16 (12) Non essential services 15 (11) Public transport 10 (7) Enforcement 4 (3) Heavy Goods Vehicle driver 3 (2) Carers 2 (1) Unknown 10 (7) ConclusionOur preliminary data suggests significant symptom burden within 6 weeks post discharge after a COVID-19 infection admission, which may impact on the ability of patients to return to work. In the present analysis there was no significant interaction between return-to-work status and covid severity.

Is covid-19 an occupational disease?

Aim To retrospectively analyse current occupation in patients needing higher level respiratory support (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) for COVID-19 to determine if certain occupational groups were seen more frequently and considered higher risk in this cohort. Background NHS workers during the first wave of COVID-19 infections in 2020 were frequently highlighted in news and media stories in the UK as having an occupational risk for developing infection. The effect occupation has on the likelihood of developing severe COVID-19 infection defined as requiring ventilator support in a district hospital setting is unknown. Data collection All patients admitted to the respiratory ward in a district general hospital with COVID-19 and who required CPAP between 01/04/2020 and 12/05/2020 were included. We collected data on their age, gender, ethnicity and occupation. Results In total, 16 patients were identified. The demographics are shown below: Occupation . NHS/Care workers-8 . Taxi drivers-2 . Teachers-2 . Unemployed-2 . Video game designer-1 . Unknown-1 Gender . Male-11 . Female-5 Age . Range 35 to 70 . Mean-55.6 . Median-58 Ethnicity . White British-9 . African-5 . Chinese-1 . Other White background-1 Discussion 50% of the cohort who required CPAP ventilation worked in the NHS, and 75% of the cohort worked in occupations that could be considered high risk as they would routinely be in contact with people who may be carrying COVID-19. This included NHS/care workers, taxi drivers and teachers. The NHS and care workers had a wide range of roles. There is also a clear gender difference with most patients being male and the majority of patients were aged >55 as reported elsewhere. Conclusion Patients with COVID-19 who required CPAP were more likely to work in occupations such as the NHS or taxi driving. While it is not possible to say how strong the link is due to our small sample size, we believe our data supports that COVID-19 infection should be considered an occupationally related disease.

S109 Is COVID-19 an occupational disease?

AimTo retrospectively analyse current occupation in patients needing higher level respiratory support (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) for COVID-19 to determine if certain occupational groups were seen more frequently and considered higher risk in this cohort.BackgroundNHS workers during the first wave of COVID-19 infections in 2020 were frequently highlighted in news and media stories in the UK as having an occupational risk for developing infection. The effect occupation has on the likelihood of developing severe COVID-19 infection defined as requiring ventilator support in a district hospital setting is unknown.Data collectionAll patients admitted to the respiratory ward in a district general hospital with COVID-19 and who required CPAP between 01/04/2020 and 12/05/2020 were included. We collected data on their age, gender, ethnicity and occupation.ResultsIn total, 16 patients were identified. The demographics are shown below:OccupationNHS/Care workers - 8Taxi drivers - 2Teachers - 2Unemployed - 2Video game designer - 1Unknown - 1GenderMale - 11Female - 5AgeRange 35 to 70Mean - 55.6Median - 58EthnicityWhite British - 9African - 5Chinese - 1Other White background - 1Discussion50% of the cohort who required CPAP ventilation worked in the NHS, and 75% of the cohort worked in occupations that could be considered high risk as they would routinely be in contact with people who may be carrying COVID-19. This included NHS/care workers, taxi drivers and teachers. The NHS and care workers had a wide range of roles. There is also a clear gender difference with most patients being male and the majority of patients were aged >55 as reported elsewhere.ConclusionPatients with COVID-19 who required CPAP were more likely to work in occupations such as the NHS or taxi driving. While it is not possible to say how strong the link is due to our small sample size, we believe our data supports that COVID-19 infection should be considered an occupationally related disease.