COVID-19 AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN PAKISTAN: ARE WE LOSING THIS FIGHT?
Abstract
The first case of novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged from Wuhan, China in December 2019.1 Ever since, it has spread globally and affected almost every country of the world.2 For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as a pandemic.3 The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, dyspnoea, and pneumonia.4 The disease spreads by inhaling air droplets, by directly contacting the contaminated surfaces, or by contacting a person with already existing condition.5 As some of the patients suffering from COVID-19 appear symptomless, the advice given currently is to practice hand hygiene and social distancing.6
Healthcare workers (HCWs) all over the world are fighting on the frontlines to curb the spread of this disease.7 Just like a soldier who goes to war needs protective equipment (Kevlar and helmet) and weapons, HCWs also need personal protective equipment (PPE), supportive medicines, and essential equipment like ventilators.8 Unfortunately, reports are emerging from different countries that HCWs are getting infected with COVID-19. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has reported that COVID-19 infection affecting HCWs in Italy makes up 9% of the total reported cases.9 In China, more than 3,000 HCWs are infected with COVID-19 as of 1st Apr, 2020.10 The HCWs who got secondary COVID-19 infection from a hospital setting makes up 15% of the total reported cases in Spain.11 In France, 490+ HCWs working in government sector are now reported to have contracted COVID-19.12
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