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This is stated in a recent risk report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH).
NIPH researchers have studied whether there have been multiple cases of covid-19 or hospitalization with covid-19 in some occupational groups among 3.5 million employees.
They found that health professionals and drivers were most at risk in the first period of the epidemic in the winter and spring of 2020.
Among health professionals such as physiotherapists, dentists, nurses and doctors, there were 3.5 to 6.5 cases per 1000 people, which means an incidence of 1.5 to 3.5 times higher than in the rest of the workforce, writes FHI.
Among taxi drivers, bus drivers, and tram drivers, there was roughly the same increase: from 3.4 to 5.5 cases per 1,000.
Has changed
The report shows that the picture is different this fall, with researchers not seeing more COVID-19 cases among healthcare professionals than others.
However, now researchers are finding a higher incidence of coronavirus disease among employees in the restaurant industry, such as waiters and waiters. FHI also finds an increase among aircraft and ship hosts.
Among bus, tram and taxi drivers, he is on the same level as among other workers.
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Teachers had no more COVID-19 cases than others in either period.
“The researchers speculate that the difference between the first and second periods may be due to changes in testing criteria. In the first period, there was a shortage of test equipment, so testing was prioritized for patients, people at risk and health personnel. In the second period, close contacts and people with mild symptoms could also be assessed, “writes FHI.
Overrepresented dentists
The Institute for Infectious Disease Control notes that, with one exception, there are no differences between occupational groups at risk for severe disease.
However, there have been more hospitalized dentists than has been seen in other occupational groups.
“This raises the question whether infection with a large dose of virus in individuals may increase the risk of more serious disease, but the numbers are low and therefore uncertain,” writes FHI.
The risk report indicates that the National Institute of Public Health is concerned about the development of the infection in Norway.
Unstable situation
“The epidemic in Norway has increased significantly in weeks 43 and 44. We are seeing an incipient regional outbreak with a rapidly increasing incidence in the Oslo area and many local outbreaks across the country,” he says.
Furthermore, NIPH describes the situation as unstable and believes that significant efforts are needed to curb the spread.
“We are concerned that the Norwegian epidemic will follow the same development as in other European countries, that is, a spectacular and accelerated increase in a few weeks,” writes the institute.
FHI notes that they now see the expected increase in hospital admissions after several weeks with a high incidence of infection.
“There is no strong evidence that the virus has changed and now causes milder illness or spreads more easily. The virus is as dangerous in the elderly as ever and just as contagious,” says FHI.
