COVID-19 in Wuhan: Immediate Psychological Impact on 5062 Health Workers

Zhou Zhu; Shabei Xu; Hui Wang; Zheng Liu; Jianhong Wu; Guo Li; Jinfeng Miao; Chenyan Zhang; Yuan Yang; Wenzhe Sun; Suiqiang Zhu; Yebin Fan; Junbo Hu; Jihong Liu; Wei Wang

During the SARS period, 21.0 percent of the infected people were HWs 21 , while the proportion of infected HWs in Wuhan is approximately 4 percent 22 . In this study, 158 (3.1 percent) HWs were diagnosed or suspected COVID-19, and 70 of them (44.3 percent) had family members and relatives infected. In addition, 693 (15.1 percent) HWs were not infected themselves, but their relatives and family members were diagnosed or suspected of COVID-19. HWs had a significantly increased risk of depression once infected with the COVID-19 virus, and increased risks of anxiety, depression, and stress once their family members or relatives were infected with the COVID-19 virus. The results of the subgroup analyses provided more details and indicated that we should employ stratified psychological intervention strategies according to different risk levels of HWs. We should keep track of the mental status of those HWs who were confirmed or suspected patients themselves and who had confirmed or suspected patients in their families. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.