Study shows COVID-19 risk to firefighters and emergency medical workers in New York City

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/elf-ssc102820.php

 

News Release 29-Oct-2020
European Lung Foundation

 

Firefighters and emergency medical workers in New York City were 15 times more likely to be infected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general public, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. [1]

The study, which includes almost all the 15,000 front-line workers at the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), also shows that workers who had been experiencing a deterioration in their lung health prior to the pandemic were more likely to suffer a severe COVID-19 infection, meaning they were admitted to hospital or died.

Researchers say their study supports the proper use of PPE and other measures to protect emergency workers around the world and maintain capacity of emergency services during any subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.


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