Association between SARS-CoV-2 infection, exposure risk and mental health among a cohort of essential retail workers in the USA | Occupational & Environmental Medicine
▻https://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2020/10/11/oemed-2020-106774
The present study fills in the knowledge gap of COVID-19 impacts on grocery/retail market workers during the pandemic, from both physical and psychological perspectives.
In this single store sample (n=104), we found an alarming infection rate of 20% positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay result among these workers and the majority (76%) of them were asymptomatic at the time of testing.
Furthermore, employees with direct customer exposure were five times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Our study also found the inability to practice social distancing consistently at work was a significant risk factor for anxiety and depression.
At the same time, commuting to work by public transportation/shared rides was significantly associated with depressive state.
Key messages
How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?
This is the first study to demonstrate the significant asymptomatic infection rate, exposure risks and associated psychological distress of grocery retail essential workers during the pandemic, which supports the policy recommendations that employers and government officials should take actions on implementing preventive strategies and administrative arrangements, such as methods to reduce interpersonal contact, repeat and routine SARS-CoV-2 employee testing, to ensure the health and safety of essential workers.
Our significant mental health finding calls for action in providing comprehensive employee assistance services to help essential workers cope with the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
