By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — Since the end of last July, the number of Covid-19 infections among health care workers in Canada has tripled according to a report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

While the number of cases in health care workers increased, growth was slower when compared with growth in cases in non–health care workers, the institute reported Thursday.

“In the early days of the pandemic, evidence showed that people working in health care settings tested positive for COVID-19 more often than the general population,” the report noted. “Front-line workers reported challenges in accessing personal protective equipment and a lack of infection control measures in the workplace.”

In the past 6 months, almost all provinces have seen an increase in health care worker cases.

However, the western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia experienced larger percentage increases compared to the rest of Canada.

Since the start of the pandemic, coronavirus has claimed the lives of 24 people working in health care.

That includes 12 in the last 6 months in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.

The data shows that health care workers continue to be at risk for contracting the virus, said the institute.

“While it does not distinguish where the infection was acquired, it does provide an understanding of the degree of impact, which is critical in maintaining levels of care and responding to potential surges of need,” it said.
(Eagle News Service)