Health care workers are 10pc-20pc of US coronavirus cases

Published April 14, 2020
Bassam Betarske, a 61-year-old ER doctor who deals directly with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, removes his PPE at the end of his shift at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert, Ohio, U.S., April 4, 2020. Picture taken April 4, 2020.  REUTERS/Megan Jelinger NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Bassam Betarske, a 61-year-old ER doctor who deals directly with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, removes his PPE at the end of his shift at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert, Ohio, U.S., April 4, 2020. Picture taken April 4, 2020. REUTERS/Megan Jelinger NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

Between 10 per cent and 20pc of US coronavirus cases are health care workers, though they tended to be hospitalised at lower rates than other patients, AP quoted officials as reporting on Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first national data on how the pandemic is hitting doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.

Bassam Betarske, a 61-year-old ER doctor who deals directly with Covid-19 patients, removes his PPE at the end of his shift at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert, Ohio, US, on April 4, 2020. — Reuters
Bassam Betarske, a 61-year-old ER doctor who deals directly with Covid-19 patients, removes his PPE at the end of his shift at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert, Ohio, US, on April 4, 2020. — Reuters

"The data is important new information but not necessarily surprising," said Dr Anne Schucaht, who is running the federal agency's response to the outbreak.

Medical staff have also been hit hard in other countries. Media reports said about 10pc of cases in Italy and Spain were health care workers.

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