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Since the coronavirus outbreak, the number of disease reports in health care increased by 40 percent in March. Health workers are more exposed to the virus and the workload in the sector is increasing.
“Do I have a sore throat? Or can I imagine? Is it muscle pain from exercise or am I sick?” Nike is a general practitioner in South Holland. She is not feeling well in mid-March. After it looks like he has a raise, the GP decides to have a crown test.
She tests positive. She has a crown. “It was very surreal. Although there was a good chance that he would get it as a GP,” Nike said. And that possibility was even greater because her husband also works in health care. He also fell ill. Like her three children.
Sudden spike
According to figures from the Vernet knowledge network, the number of health care employees reporting illnesses increased by 40 percent in March compared to the same period last year.
In recent years, the number of reports of illness in health care has actually decreased. “The sudden spike in March is due to the coronavirus outbreak,” said Anneke Westerlaken, president of CNV Zorg & Welzijn.
Image © Vernet
Not all crown
In total, more than a million people work in health care. From laboratory technicians and nurses to youth care workers and geriatricians. Vernet tracks the illness reports of some 600,000 health care employees, but has not broken this down by profession or department. The reason for reporting illness is also unknown. “That is confidential privacy information,” said the Vernet spokesman.
According to CNV’s Westerlaken, not all sick healthcare workers have received the crown, as has Nike. “Some minor health workers report being sick to prevent them from infecting others with minor complaints. Or they report getting sick out of fear,” says Westerlaken.
High workload
High workload may also be a reason. This has increased tremendously in some departments. As with Hanneke, she guides people with mild intellectual disabilities with complex behavior, for example, because they are autistic or very addicted.
Hanneke’s work has become much more intense due to strict crown measures. “Our clients are emotionally three years old. They don’t understand it,” says the housing counselor. They don’t understand why they are suddenly no longer allowed to take the bus. Or why they are no longer allowed to see their parents. Or why no one comes on his birthday.
Aggression
“That creates a lot of sadness and anger. Some become aggressive,” says Hanneke. “That is my turn. I want to offer comfort. Normally I put an arm around someone. But that is not possible at a distance of 1.5 meters.”
This is also a psychological burden for housing supervisors. “Fortunately, we have a very strong team and we can come together.” In addition, there is professional support in the form of coaches, confidants and a special crown team for ethical issues.
More tests
“That psychological attention is very important,” says Westerlaken of CNV. She also insists on decent working conditions. “So there are no twelve-hour shifts.” Westerlaken also mentions the importance of having more protective equipment available and more frequent testing.
Nike, her husband and children are better again. After two weeks, he was able to return to work. “It is very nice that we have completed this as a family.”
