COVID-19 Infections Among Healthcare Personnel in the United States Veterans Health Administration, March to August, 2020

OBJECTIVE: We investigated COVID-19 infection and death among healthcare personnel (HCP) in the United States Veterans Health Administration. METHODS: HCP with positive Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests between March 1 and August 31, 2020 were included. Risk ratios were calculated for sex, age, race/ethnicity, Veteran status, occupation category, facility of employment by inpatient COVID-19 test percent positivity and death. RESULTS: Five thousand nine hundred twenty five HCP were COVID-19-infected out of 131,606 tested (4.5% positivity). Highest risk for COVID-19 infection included: HCP working in hospitals with more than 15% inpatient COVID-19 test positivity, nursing staff, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic or Latino HCP and HCP who were Veterans. Among 18 HCP who died after COVID-19 infection, male sex, age more than or equal to 65 years, and Veteran status were significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Robust national surveillance testing methods are needed to accurately monitor HCP COVID-19 infections and deaths to improve HCP safety.