Abstract
Background
Work-related exposures play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, yet few studies have measured the risk of COVID-19 across occupations and industries.
Methods
During September 2020 – May 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services collected occupation and industry data as part of routine COVID-19 case investigations. Adults aged 18-64 years with confirmed or probable COVID-19 in Wisconsin were assigned standardized occupation and industry codes. Cumulative incidence rates were weighted for non-response and calculated using full-time equivalent (FTE) workforce denominators from the 2020 American Community Survey.
Results
An estimated 11.6% of workers (347,013 of 2.98 million) in Wisconsin, ages 18-64 years, had COVID-19 from September 2020 to May 2021. The highest incidence by occupation (per 100 full-time equivalents) occurred among personal care and services workers (22.4), healthcare practitioners and support staff (20.7), and protective services workers (20.7). High risk sub-groups included nursing assistants and personal care aides (28.8), childcare workers (25.8), food and beverage service workers (25.3), personal appearance workers (24.4), and law enforcement workers (24.1). By industry, incidence was highest in healthcare (18.6); the highest risk sub-sectors were nursing care facilities (30.5) and warehousing (28.5).
Conclusions
This analysis represents one of the most complete examinations to date of COVID-19 incidence by occupation and industry. Our approach demonstrates the value of standardized occupational data collection by public health, and may be a model for improved occupational surveillance elsewhere. Workers at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure may benefit from targeted workplace COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation efforts.
Keywords: COVID-19, Occupation, Industry, Wisconsin, Epidemiology
Contributor Information
Ian W Pray, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; Career Epidemiology Field Officer, CDC.
Barbara Grajewski, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin.
Collin Morris, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Komi Modji, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter DeJonge, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC.
Katherine McCoy, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Carrie Tomasallo, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Traci DeSalvo, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin.
Ryan P Westergaard, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Jonathan Meiman, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
Supplementary Material
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