Covid-19 Across Professions—Infection, Hospitalization, and Intensive Care Unit Patterns in a Swedish County

Abstract

Objective To study infection, hospitalisation, and admission to ICU for COVID-19 in different occupations and pandemic waves in a Swedish county. Methods Individual registry data of infection and hospitalisation were merged with occupational data in, this cross-sectional study. Infected, hospital- and ICU-admission were analysed by occupational groups. Results 22,095 cases of COVID-19 from 21 February 2021 to 31 August 2022 were identified. Healthcare workers and others working in close physical proximity showed a higher rate of confirmed COVID-19 infections in all waves and higher risk for hospital admission early in the pandemic. Exposure to diseases and physical proximity played a decisive role. Conclusion Workers in close-contact occupations experienced a higher rate of confirmed infections throughout the pandemic and higher hospitalisation rates in the first pandemic wave, suggesting a need for more effective initial safety measures in a future pandemic.