IntroductionWe sought to determine time to return to work (RTW) among healthcare workers (HCWs) with mild/moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and identify predictors of COVID-19 test positivity and illness duration. MethodsA retrospective review of HCWs presenting for COVID-19 testing/evaluation in December 2020 was performed to examine demographics, clinical characteristics, and RTW. ResultsOf 250 exposure incidents, 107 employees (42.80%) tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). No significant differences between COVID-19 positive and negative HCWs were noted in terms of key demographics, including age, gender, and CDC risk scores. Cough (77.57% vs 56.64%, p = 0.001), fatigue (66.36% vs 51.05%, p = 0.015), fever/chills (65.42% vs 37.06%, p < 0.001), myalgia (57.01% vs 35.66%, p = 0.008), and change in smell/taste (38.32% vs 13.29%, p < 0.001) were more prevalent among COVID-19 positive versus negative HCWs. Change in smell/taste (p < 0.001, OR 3.592), cough (p = 0.001, OR 2.966), and fever/chills (p = 0.019, OR 2.107) were independently associated with COVID-19 test positivity. Mean time to RTW from symptom onset was 13.09 days for COVID-19 positive HCWs. Female gender (p = 0.020, + 3.20 days), older age (p = 0.014, + 2.22 days), and myalgia (p = 0.021, + 2.23 days) were predictive of longer illness duration. ConclusionChange in taste/smell, cough, and fever/chills were independently associated with COVID-19 test positivity. Among HCWs with mild/moderate COVID-19 infection, the mean time to RTW was approximately 13 days with female gender, older age, and myalgia being predictive of delayed RTW.

To address occupational health disparities, it is imperative that OEM residency programs promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure that the OEM physician workforce is reflective of the diverse working populations they serve.