Pre-COVID-19 Lung Function and Other Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 in First Responders

Abstract

Starting 1/3/2020, New York City (NYC) suffered an intense COVID-19 outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. By 31/5/2020, there were 203 248 diagnosed patients, 52 301 hospitalisations and 17 756 confirmed deaths in NYC [1]. Cardiac arrests with resuscitation increased 3-fold compared with the same time 2019 period [2]. Despite proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines [3], medical leave for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 in Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) responders was substantial, affecting 40.7% of emergency medical service providers (EMS) and 34.5% of firefighters [4]. We examined risk factors for COVID-19 diagnosis and severe COVID-19 disease (hospitalisation or death) in FDNY responders.