One year of COVID 19: Results of a national web-based survey on the SARS-CoV-2 infectious state of otorhinolaryngologists in Germany

Herzog, M.; Beule, A.; Lüers, J. C.; Guntinas-Lichius, O.; Sowerby, L.; Grafmans, D.

Background Otorhinolaryngologists (ORL) are said to be at high risk due to a close professionally contact with the mucosa of the upper airway where SARS-CoV-2 can be detected to a high degree. Anyhow, only few data is available for German ORLs. Methods The German Society of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery and the German ENT Association addressed German ORLs to participate in a web-based survey about infection with SARS-CoV-2. Data of infections and concomitant parameters in German ORLs were compared to the total number of infections in Germany. An initial survey was launched May 2020 and a monthly follow-up survey was active until January 2021. Results 970 out of 6383 German ORLs (15%) participated in the initial survey and the June follow-up. Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 until June 2020 was reported by 54 ORLs. The relative risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 for ORLs is calculated as an OR of 3.67 (95% CI 2.82;4.79) compared to the total population of Germany. As treatment, 2 individuals were admitted to hospital without intensive care and domestic quarantine was conducted in 96.3% of cases. No casualties were reported. In 31 cases the source of infection was not identifiable whereas 23 had a clear etiology: infected patients: n = 5, 9.26% ;medical staff: n = 13, 24.1% . 9.26% (n = 5) of the identified cases were related to contact to infected family members (n = 3), closer neighborhood (n = 1) or general public (n = 1). There does not seem to be an increased risk of infection performing surgery. The follow-up data for 12 month of COVID-19 will be implemented in the presentation. Conclusion There is an almost 3.7-fold risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 for German ORLs compared to the population baseline level. Appropriate protection appears to be necessary for this occupational group.