Bus drivers at high risk for severe COVID-19
Bus drivers at high risk for severe COVID-19
Occupations with Greater Risk of Hospitalization for COVID-19 Revealed

People working in certain jobs had a greater risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19, even in the later stages of the pandemic, according to a recent study. The research reveals that bus drivers have double the risk of hospitalization compared to lower-contact jobs. Additionally, several occupations in education and healthcare were found to be at greater risk of serious illness.
“When looking at specific occupations, interesting gender differences emerge,” says study author Maria Åberg, a professor of general medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. “Among women, there are increased risks for specialist doctors, nurses, midwives, and preschool staff. Male occupations that carry higher risk include bus and tram drivers and security guards. This also reflects the fact that we have a gender-segregated labor market.”
The study, conducted in Sweden, analyzed data from multiple registers, including over 550,000 cases of confirmed COVID-19 infection and more than 5,900 cases of severe COVID-19 infection. Researchers assessed the link between occupation and hospitalization for COVID-19 by comparing hospitalizations between October and December 2020 with participants’ occupations in the previous November.
Occupations that involved close contact with others were compared to those with little contact. The study found that bus and tram drivers had a 98% increased risk of hospitalization for severe COVID-19 infection, while staff at after-school clubs had a 72% increased risk. Registered nurses had a 68% increased risk, and elementary school teachers and preschool child caregivers had a 60% increased risk.
It is important to note that the individual risk to workers in a given profession being hospitalized for COVID-19 remains very low, as the number of affected individuals in each occupational group is small.
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The study also revealed a 53% increased risk of hospitalization among specialist doctors of both genders. However, when focusing solely on female specialists, the increase in risk was significantly higher at 105%.
This research highlights the need for improved risk assessment and preventive measures in these job sectors. Lead author Kjell Toren, a senior professor of occupational and environmental medicine, emphasizes the importance of workplaces and employers being involved in getting high-risk occupations access to vaccination. This can be achieved by allowing workers to be vaccinated during working hours or organizing vaccination sessions at their place of work. Occupational health care also plays a crucial role in these efforts.
Vaccination in high-risk workplaces during working hours would significantly reduce the risks, particularly for bus and tram drivers and preschool staff. While healthcare workers were usually offered vaccination during working hours, additional measures might have further increased the vaccination uptake among them.
The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, highlights the necessity for risk mitigation strategies and targeted interventions in occupations with higher COVID-19 hospitalization risks. By addressing these concerns, we can better protect the health and well-being of workers in these critical sectors.
Key Findings at a Glance
Occupations with increased risk of hospitalization for severe COVID-19 infection:
Occupations | Increased Risk of Hospitalization |
---|---|
Bus and tram drivers | 98% |
After-school club staff | 72% |
Registered nurses | 68% |
Elementary school teachers | 60% |
Occupations with increased risk of hospitalization for specialist doctors:
Gender | Increased Risk of Hospitalization |
---|---|
Both | 53% |
Females | 105% |