The Mexican Social Security Institute recently issued criteria to determine in which cases infection by the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (COVID-19) must be considered an occupational disease.
Pursuant to these criteria, employees' risk of exposure must first be classified into four levels, depending on repeated or extended contact with sources of possible infection: a) Very high exposure risk: Healthcare personnel directly involved in the care of patients with suspected infection or a confirmed diagnosis, as well as those in contact with materials or surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). b) High exposure risk: Healthcare personnel not directly involved in the care of patients with suspected infection or a confirmed diagnosis, nor in contact with materials or surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), but for whom there is a high likelihood of coming into direct contact. c) Medium exposure risk: • Personnel directly involved in serving the general public, requiring frequent contact among employees or at greater risk of coming into contact with contaminated materials and surfaces. • Healthcare team workers who address health problems unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). • Workers with contact through close interaction, without personal protective equipment and with multiple interactions with various individuals or groups, who take part in activities such as: preparation and service of food and beverages, public administration and social security services, temporary lodging services, financial and insurance services, personal household services, and transportation services. d) Low exposure risk: Personnel not directly involved in serving the general public, but whose essential activity carries a greater risk of infection or contact with materials or surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) than that of personnel serving the general public. In addition, for a worker to be eligible to be handled under the protocol for a probable occupational disease, beyond the level of exposure risk while performing their work activities, they must have a history of contact with a person confirmed or considered as a suspected case of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. In other words, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) will be ruled to be an occupational disease if the following requirements are met: a) That the worker meets the criteria of a suspected or confirmed case according to public or private laboratories of the National Network of Public Health Laboratories. b) That the worker meets the criteria of occupationally exposed personnel. c) That there is a latency period of 1 to 14 days between the workplace contact or exposure and the onset of the clinical picture in the worker, and it must be established that such exposure occurred before the suspension of work for non-essential activities or that, even with the suspension in place, the workplace continued operating without being an essential activity. d) That it be demonstrated that the worker was exposed, in the course of or by reason of their work, to a person with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and that extra-occupational exposure was minimal. We consider that the information provided is relevant for the proper handling of any emergency or suspected case within workplaces. We will remain attentive to this matter and will keep you informed about it. For additional information, contact our experts: Rodolfo Trampe, Partner: +52 (55) 5258 1054 | rtrampe@vwys.com.mx Alix Trimmer, Associate: +52 (55) 5258 1016 | atrimmer@vwys.com.mx Alejandro Pérez, Associate: +52 (55) 5258 1054 | alperez@vwys.com.mx
