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Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | COVID-19 | Short report

COVID-19 infection across workplace settings in Qatar: a comparison of COVID-19 positivity rates of screened workers from March 1st until July 31st, 2020

Authors: Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari, Asma Ali Al-Nuaimi, Jazeel Abdulmajeed, Sandy Semaan, Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi, Mujeeb Chettiyam Kandy, Selvakumar Swamy

Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Introduction

COVID-19 transmission was significant amongst Qatar’s working population during the March–July 2020 outbreak. The study aimed to estimate the risk of exposure for COVID-19 across various workplace settings and demographics in the State of Qatar.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing surveillance data of all workplaces with 10 or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19. These workplaces were categorized using a mapping table adapted from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, 2017 version. The data was then analyzed to estimate and compare the positivity rate as an indicator of the risk of developing COVID-19 infection across various workplace settings in the State of Qatar.

Results

The highest positivity rate was reported amongst the Construction & Related (40.0%) and the Retail & Wholesale Trade sectors (40.0%), whereas, the lowest positivity rate was attributed to the healthcare workplace setting (11.0%). The highest incidence of COVID-19 infections occurred in South Asian nationalities and in the male gender. The private funded sector employees have seen higher positivity rate than employees of the governmental funded sector.

Conclusion

The elevated risk of infection in Construction and Retail & Wholesale Trade is probably due to environmental and educational vulnerabilities. The predominant labor force of those workplace categories is South Asian craft and male manual workers. Alternatively, the better containment of the healthcare workplace setting can be attributed to the enforcement of infection control and occupational safety measures. These findings imply the importance of using preventive and surveillance strategies for high-risk workplace settings appropriately.

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Title: COVID-19 infection across workplace settings in Qatar: a comparison of COVID-19 positivity rates of screened workers from March 1st until July 31st, 2020
Authors: Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari
Asma Ali Al-Nuaimi
Jazeel Abdulmajeed
Sandy Semaan
Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi
Mujeeb Chettiyam Kandy
Selvakumar Swamy
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6673
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-021-00311-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

COVID-19 infection across workplace settings in Qatar: a comparison of COVID-19 positivity rates of screened workers from March 1st until July 31st, 2020

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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