COVID-19 as an occupational disease and work-related accident - Analysis of reported and recognised cases handled by German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV)

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This article analyses the number of cases of occupational disease (OD) and work-related accidents in connection with COVID-19 reported to all accident insurance funds (UVT) in Germany and duly recognised as claims. Methods: The analysis covers data from a special survey of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the umbrella association of the accident insurance institutions for the industrial and public sectors (the BGs and the public-sector accident insurers respectively), and routine data from the social accident insurance provider for the health and welfare sector (BGW). In the case of the BGW data, we present the COVID-19 cases per 1,000 full-time equivalents (FTE) separated by sector. Results: Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UVT have registered 202,945 cases related to COVID-19 and recognised 121,027 of these as insurance claims. Most reports related to an OD (83.3 %). The most affected UVT is the BGW, with 59.7 % of all reported cases. On average, 24.05 OD per 1,000 FTE were reported to the BGW. Clinics and nursing homes had the highest rates (53.9 and 46.7 OD per 1,000 FTE). Nursing and kindergarten jobs, typically held by women, accounted for 77 % of reports to the BGW. Nurses accounted for 71.2 % of insured persons treated in hospital and 44.8 % of deaths. Conclusion: The number of reported cases of COVID-19 recognised as insurance claims is high. The UVT are affected to varying degrees. The BGW is the most affected. The infection risk for nurses, a predominantly female job, is particularly high. Provision and compensation for insured persons will continue to be a major challenge over the next few years due to the potential long-term adverse effects of COVID-19. © 2022 Alfons W. Gentner Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved.