tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Int J Infect Dis
. 2021 Feb 9;S1201-9712(21)00078-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.066. Online ahead of print.
Preliminary findings of COVID-19 infection in health workers in Somalia: a reason for concern
Abdulkadir Abdi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abdulmunim Mohamed[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mary Karanja[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abera Solomon[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Farid Muhammad[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mengistu Kumlachew[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Majdouline Obtel[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Somalia, a country with a long history of instability, has a fragile healthcare system. Consistently, Somalia's healthcare system is understaffed and healthcare workers (HCWs) undersupplied. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, a large number of HCWs were infected.
Objective: This report presents the preliminary findings of COVID-19 infection in Somali HCWs, the first of such information from Somalia.
Methods: This is a preliminary retrospective analysis of available data on infection rates among Somali HCWs.
Results: As of 30 September 2020, 3700 cases of COVID-19, including 98 deaths, have been reported in Somalia. Of these cases, 191 (5%) were HCWs. During the first 180 days of the start of outbreak, 311 HCWs were tested for COVID-19 and 191 tested positive (positivity rate: 61%). During the epidemic's peak, HCWs represented at least 5% of cases. Of 191 infected cases, 52 (27%) were doctors, 63 (33%) were nurses, 7 (4%) were laboratory technicians and 36% were other staff.
Conclusion: More information must be sought to put measures in place protect the health and safety of HCWs in Somalia's already understaffed and fragile healthcare system.
Keywords: COVID-19; Somalia; healthcare workers; pandemic; public health.
. 2021 Feb 9;S1201-9712(21)00078-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.066. Online ahead of print.
Preliminary findings of COVID-19 infection in health workers in Somalia: a reason for concern
Abdulkadir Abdi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abdulmunim Mohamed[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mary Karanja[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abera Solomon[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Farid Muhammad[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mengistu Kumlachew[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Majdouline Obtel[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33578016
- PMCID: PMC7872860
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.066
Abstract
Background: Somalia, a country with a long history of instability, has a fragile healthcare system. Consistently, Somalia's healthcare system is understaffed and healthcare workers (HCWs) undersupplied. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, a large number of HCWs were infected.
Objective: This report presents the preliminary findings of COVID-19 infection in Somali HCWs, the first of such information from Somalia.
Methods: This is a preliminary retrospective analysis of available data on infection rates among Somali HCWs.
Results: As of 30 September 2020, 3700 cases of COVID-19, including 98 deaths, have been reported in Somalia. Of these cases, 191 (5%) were HCWs. During the first 180 days of the start of outbreak, 311 HCWs were tested for COVID-19 and 191 tested positive (positivity rate: 61%). During the epidemic's peak, HCWs represented at least 5% of cases. Of 191 infected cases, 52 (27%) were doctors, 63 (33%) were nurses, 7 (4%) were laboratory technicians and 36% were other staff.
Conclusion: More information must be sought to put measures in place protect the health and safety of HCWs in Somalia's already understaffed and fragile healthcare system.
Keywords: COVID-19; Somalia; healthcare workers; pandemic; public health.