COVID-19 Scan for Aug 19, 2022

Public transportation workers see high COVID-19 incidence, death ratesA study of California public transportation workers published today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) shows public transportation workers have higher rates of both COVID-19 incidence and mortality compared to other industries.The study was based on confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks in California workplaces documented from Jan 1, 2020, to May 26, 2022, that were reported to the California Department of Public Health.

An outbreak was defined as three or more COVID-19 cases (confirmed or probable) within 2 weeks.According to the authors, 340 COVID-19 outbreaks, 5,641 outbreak-associated cases, and 537 COVID-19–associated deaths occurred in public transportation industries in California.Outbreak incidence was 5.2 times higher, and mortality was 1.8 times higher in bus and urban transit industries than in all other industries.

The cumulative outbreak incidence for all public transportation industries (35.3 outbreaks per 1,000 establishments) was 1.4 times higher than the average for all industries."The elevated outbreak incidence identified in public transportation industries suggests higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 workplace exposure among public transportation workers, and elevated mortality rates suggest increased risk for dying from COVID-19," the authors said. "Regardless of whether exposures occur from interactions with the public, coworkers, or other sources, these observations indicate that public transportation workers represent a vulnerable group who should be prioritized for COVID-19 prevention strategies." Aug 19 MMWR studyNew GAO report reviews hospital struggles during COVID patient surgesUS hospitals included in a new US Government