1 The outbreak
The outbreak of novel coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) in December 2019 resulted in a cumulative number of 80 026 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2912 deaths as of March 1, 2020 [
1]. Hubei Province had been hit hardest, accounting for over 83% of all the confirmed cases nationwide [
1]. More than 40 000 healthcare personnel (HCP) from around the country rushed there, working around the clock with local HCP in the public health intervention, diagnosis and treatment, patient care, field investigation, samples testing and sterilization [
2].
2 Infection among healthcare personnel
Sadly, as of February 20, 2020, 2055 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported among HCP from 476 hospitals across China. The majority of HCP cases (88%) were reported from Hubei [
2] (Table 1). So far, no super spreader has been identified among the HCP infections. Such a high number of infections among HCP in this ongoing epidemic is very alarming, testifying the magnitude of the epidemic, the lack of understanding of the novel virus, and the need for improvement in the medical system. Little knowledge about the novel virus led to a surge of HCP infection in the first month after the outbreak.
In addition, the sudden tide of patients in January 2020 added unprecedented stress on the municipal healthcare system of Wuhan. Healthcare staff from different medical departments in the city had to hastily take actions in a short period of time. Many did not have the required experience, knowledge, and preparedness for dealing with infectious diseases, such as proper sequence of use, replacement, and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE). Some healthcare workers had to work ten or more hours daily with no break time due to a high volume of patients and severe staff shortage. Stress and extreme fatigue could further challenge the immune system and increase the susceptibility to 2019-nCoV among HCP (Fig. 1).
The rapid expansion of the epidemic also caused a severe shortage of critical PPE. As many mass production of medical supplies was halted when workers left for family reunification at the Chinese New Year (January 25, 2020), the healthcare system was completely caught off guard, and quickly exhausted the emergency PPE reserves. Some hospitals in Hubei had to reduce the replacement of critical PPE. The grim shortage of protective equipment greatly increased the risk of HCP infections at the onset of the outbreak, exacerbating the spread of diseases among visitors, staff, and patients.
3 Measures taken to enhance protection of HCP
A healthy and effective team of HCP is crucial to successfully preventing the on-going epidemic from further expansion. The high infection toll underscores the necessity and urgency of protecting HCP from COVID-19. It is laudable that the central government has attached great importance to protecting the health of HCP and has taken a number of immediate actions [
3], such as improved guidance on the proper use of PPE, strengthened logistics and medical supplies, and enhanced disinfection at the hotels where HCP stay. In addition, an emergency surveillance system is now in place to monitor all exposed HCP, contributing to prompt detection, effective triage, and isolation of infected HCP. A special medical expert group is making every effort to diagnose and treat medical staff of suspected and confirmed infection. In addition, a special health and life insurance fund is set up for all HCP working in the frontline at both national and provincial levels [
4]. All of these are conducive to ensuring the confidence and efficiency of the HCP, but more needs to be done for further protection of their occupational health in the long run.
4 Suggestions for future improvement
The COVID-19 outbreak calls for the establishment of exposure risk assessment and management system in healthcare settings. Public health schools should be given more support within medical education system and all medical students should receive regular theoretical courses and practical training of public health, including the knowledge and skills to deal with large scale health emergencies, such as COVID-19. Standard guidelines and procedures should be in place to detect infectious diseases at an early stage, to timely announce the pathogens, transmission paths, diagnosis, and treatment among HCP. Furthermore, improvement in professional development as essential part of continuous medical education at all public health and medical institutions is another critical step toward reducing infection rate among healthcare workers. HCP, regardless of the disciplines they are in, should have routine emergency drills for infectious diseases, receive professional development periodically in the protection from occupational hazards. Especially, medical staff related to the handling of infectious diseases should be well trained to properly use PPEs, and continuing education certificate can be mandatory for key HCP or staff members in all medical institutions. In addition, easy access to mental health service for HCP should be available throughout their career journey, especially during the time of crisis when they need for anxiety and stress relief.
With the stabilizing of epidemics and measures taken by the decision-makers, the shortage of PPE in China was significantly attenuated by mid-February [
5]. Yet, the COVID-19 outbreak alerts us that a carefully planned stockpile of PPE and other essentials is key to effective infectious disease preparedness and to the optimal function of HCP [
6]. An epidemic can affect a broad population, hence the availability and appropriate use of PPE, such as N95 respirators, face masks, gowns, and gloves, are crucial to protecting the health of HCP [
7]. While it is very difficult to predict an outbreak of widespread epidemic, all the healthcare facilities should stockpile a certain amount of critical PPE to ensure an adequate supply at the onset. In addition, it is also important to set up a centralized and coordinated network of emergent PPE supply among central and local governments, healthcare facilities, and medical equipment, so as to meet the demand for consumable and durable supplies when a wide spread epidemic lasts long.
5 Conclusions
The ratio of confirmed HCP infection to patients is on the decrease, from 5.72% (January 11–20, 2020) to 2.68% (February 1–11, 2020), thanks to the increased supply of critical PPE, enhanced vigilance, and accumulated experienced among HCP [
8]. It is hard to predict when and where an epidemic, like the COVID-19, will occur in the world as disease knows no national boundaries. Therefore, the compelling lessons learned in the fight against coronavirus in China must be remembered so that better public health emergency response preparedness mechanisms can be established not only in China but all over the world.
Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
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