3.4 Impact on Health professionals
Overall, two health care professionals involved in the management of HNC
patients (a Radiation Therapist and a Radiation Oncology Resident, 51
and 33 years old, respectively) were found to be COVID-19 positive at
nasal swabs. Both of them had been in contact with the patient diagnosed
with COVID-19- related pneumonia. They have no comorbidities and
clinical presentation of COVID-19 infection was mild in both cases
(anosmia, diarrhea, fatigue and fever). No respiratory symptoms were
reported and hospitalization was therefore not needed. In compliance
with safety measurements, both of them were re-admitted to work after
two consecutive negative nasal swabs.
Since pregnancy, has been recognized as a risk factor for developing a
COVID-19 related severe acute respiratory distress
syndrome19, a Radiation Oncology resident in her
seventh month of pregnancy was suspended from clinical practice and was
assigned research works she could manage from home.