TABLE 5.
Conclusions relating to review aims and three occupations or sectors with highest elevation of risk
| Study (country) | Authors' main conclusions | Three occupations/sectors reporting highest levels of risk (overall or seen during any time periods) |
|---|---|---|
| Airoldi et al. [ 15 ] (Italy) | Differences by occupation during the first wave, with elevated risk in logistics, weaving factories, nursing home workers and chemical industry | Logistics Weaving factory Nursing home |
| Ballering et al. [ 24 ] (Netherlands) | Among healthcare workers, males more likely than females to be diagnosed with or tested for COVID-19 | Only healthcare and education included |
| Beale et al. [ 16 ] (UK) | Occupational differences vary with time | Primary school teachers Carers Nurses |
| Biarnés-Martínez et al. [ 25 ] (Spain) | Healthcare occupations most affected Less qualified workers also have high incidence |
Auxiliary nurses Medical professionals Nursing professionals |
| Billingsley et al. [ 28 ] (Sweden) | Differences in COVID-19 mortality for workers related to traditional risk factors | Taxi and bus drivers Service sector Cleaners |
| Bonde et al. [ 26 ] (Denmark) | Employees in several occupations within and outside healthcare are at substantially increased risk of COVID-19 There is a need to revisit safety measures and precautions to mitigate viral transmission in the workplace during the current and forthcoming pandemics |
Healthcare assistants Psychological therapists Bus and tram drivers |
| Bonde et al. [ 17 ] (Denmark) | Modestly elevated risks in numerous occupations | Food and related products machine operators Ambulance workers Athletes and sports players |
| Cherrie et al. [ 29 ] (UK) | Differences in odds of death from COVID-19 declined over time | Taxi and cab drivers Bus and coach drivers Medical support staff |
| Green and Semple [ 18 ] (UK) | Highest prevalence in hospitality sector, with high levels of infection for those employed in transport, social care, retail, healthcare and educational sectors Inequalities by work were not consistent over time |
Social care Hospitality Healthcare |
| Magnusson et al. [ 19 ] (Norway) | Healthcare had higher odds of COVID-19 during the first wave than others of working age In the second wave, bartenders, waiters, food counter attendants, transport conductors, travel stewards, childcare workers, preschool and primary school teachers had high odds of infection Bus, tram and taxi drivers had an increased odds of infection in both waves |
Nurses Physicians Dentists |
| Matz et al. [ 30 ] (UK) | Excess mortality for essential workers higher than nonessential workers Highest excess mortality in 2021 seen by social care workers |
Social care Healthcare Other essential |
| Mutambudzi et al. [ 27 ] (2020) (England) | Found a seven-fold higher risk for healthcare workers and a two-fold higher risk for social care and transport workers, compared with nonessential workers | Healthcare professionals Medical support staff Health associate professionals |
| Nafilyan et al. [ 31 ] (UK) | Working conditions play a large role in COVID-19 mortality, especially in occupations with close contact | Taxi and cab drivers or chauffeurs Elementary occupations Care workers and home carers |
| Nwaru et al. [ 20 ] (Sweden) | Working in essential occupations associated with elevated infection risk, which was particularly marked in healthcare occupations | Healthcare workers Teachers Service sector workers |
| Reuter et al. [ 21 ] (Germany) | Higher infection risks seen in essential occupations and personal related services, especially healthcare Infections more common in higher status positions at the beginning of the pandemic |
Geriatric care Medicine and dentistry Nursing, emergency services and obstetrics |
| Rhodes et al. [ 22 ] (UK) | Elevated risks for healthcare workers reduced over time but persistent high risks for education | Bus and coach drivers Police and protective services Education |
| Verbeeck et al. [ 23 ] (Belgium) | In the presence of sanitary protocols, many sectors with close contact with others saw considerably higher COVID-19 incidence than other sectors | Secondary education Activities of sports clubs Activities of football clubs |
COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019.