Infection prevention and control

Preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections in health workers requires a multi-pronged, integrated approach of infection prevention control (IPC) and occupational health and safety (OHS) measures.

WHO recommends that all healthcare facilities establish and implement IPC programmes and OHS programmes with protocols that ensure health worker safety and prevent infections with COVID-19 in the work environment.

A blame-free system for managing health worker exposures to COVID-19 should be in place to promote and support reporting of exposures or symptoms. Health workers should be encouraged to report both occupational and non-occupational exposures to COVID-19.