Prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among US blood donors by industry, May–December 2021

ObjectiveTo describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) mitigation measures in workplaces of employed US blood donors by industry and work arrangement.MethodsDuring May–December 2021, blood donors responded to a survey; we describe the distribution of reported workplace mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement, organized using the hierarchy of controls.Results.Of 53,433 respondents representing 21 industries, ventilation upgrades were reported by 4%–38% of respondents (overall: 20%); telework access ranged from 14%–80% (53% overall). Requiring masks (overall: 84%; range: 40%–94%), physical distancing (77%; 51%–86%), paid leave for illness (70%; 38%–87%), and encouraging vaccination (61%; 33%–80%) were common. Independent workers reported fewer mitigation measures than those in traditional employment settings.ConclusionsMitigation measures varied by industry and work arrangement. Some mitigation measures may be challenging to implement or irrelevant in certain industries, supporting the idea that mitigation is not a one‐size‐fits‐all strategy.Policy ImplicationsTailored strategies to mitigate workplace risks of disease transmission are vital. Strategies should rely on effective methods for identifying workplace controls (e.g., through the hierarchy of controls) and account for industry‐specific characteristics and workplace environments.

Distribution of COVID‐19 mitigation measures by industry and work arrangement—US blood donors, May 2021–December 2021

Shi,

Rinsky,

McDonald

et al. 2024

Prevalence of COVID‐19 and Long COVID by Industry and Occupation: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2022

Silver,

Li,

Ford

et al. 2024

BackgroundWorkers in healthcare and other essential occupations had elevated risks for COVID‐19 infection early in the pandemic. No survey of U.S. workers to date has comprehensively assessed the prevalence of both COVID‐19 and Long COVID across industries and occupations (I&O) at a detailed level.MethodsBehavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 2022 from 39 states, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were used to estimate prevalence of self‐reported history of COVID‐19 and Long COVID, as well as the prevalence of Long COVID among those reporting prior COVID‐19, by broad and detailed I&O. Adjusted prevalence ratios were used to compare outcome prevalence in each I&O to prevalence among all other workers combined.ResultsBy broad I&O, workers in healthcare, protective services, and education had elevated prevalences of COVID‐19. The prevalence of Long COVID was elevated in healthcare and protective service but not education workers. Detailed I&O with significantly elevated prevalences of COVID‐19 but not Long COVID included Dairy Product Manufacturing industry workers and subsets of mining workers. Both COVID‐19 and Long COVID were elevated among bartenders/drinking places and personal care and appearance workers. The prevalence of Long COVID was elevated among farmworkers who reported having had COVID‐19.ConclusionsIndustries and occupations with elevated levels of COVID‐19 or Long COVID in this study may warrant increased measures to prevent transmission of airborne respiratory viruses. Accommodations are a key component for supporting workers in all workplaces. This new information about the distribution of Long COVID by I&O suggests where employer understanding and implementation of tailored workplace supports and accommodations are most needed to support continued employment of affected workers.

Occupational and industry prevalence of new long‐term symptoms within American Red Cross blood donors with and without history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection

Edwards,

Shah,

Shi

et al. 2024

PurposeLimited information is known about the burden of Long COVID by occupation and industry. This study compares the occurrence of self‐reported new long‐term symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer among blood donors with and without prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by occupation and industry.MethodsThe American Red Cross invited blood donors 18 years and older who donated during May 4–December 31, 2021 to participate in online surveys. New long‐term symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer were assessed by self‐reported occurrence of any of 35 symptoms since March 2020. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status was determined by serological testing and self‐report. We describe the prevalence of new long‐term symptoms by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status. We calculate the difference in reported new long‐term symptoms by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status within occupation and industry categories.ResultsData were collected from 27,907 employed adults – 9763 were previously infected and 18,234 were never infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. New long‐term symptoms were more prevalent among those previously infected compared to the never‐infected respondents (45% vs 24%, p < 0.05). Among all respondents, new long‐term symptoms by occupation ranged from 26% (installation, maintenance, and repair) to 41% (healthcare support) and by industry ranged from 26% (mining) to 55% (accommodation and food services). New long‐term neurological and other symptoms were commonly reported by those previously infected with SARS‐CoV‐2.DiscussionNew long‐term symptoms are more prevalent among certain occupation and industry groups, which likely reflects differential exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2. These findings highlight potential need for workplace accommodations in a variety of occupational settings to address new long‐term symptoms.