Medical University of Warsaw’s project is the first study in Central Eastern Europe conducted on a group of frontline workers. The goal of the study is to assess the incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 in new and cured cases amongst police officers. A particular focus will be put on studying cases of SARS-Co2 infections with asymptomatic or minimal symptoms. The study will also contribute to a better understanding of the underlying factors for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 amongst the police force.
According to Dr. Mariusz Gujski, the study will constitute a significant contribution to the international research on COVID-19. The results will also answer the reoccurring question about the actual number of infections as opposed to the official statistics.
Given the scope of the study, a research consortium has been established. It includes the Polish Center of Postgraduate Medical Education (https://www.cmkp.edu.pl/), the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw (https://cskmswia.pl/en), and MUW, as the leader of the research consortium.
The research process will entail first, screening of new and cured SARS-CoV-2 cases, then a follow up questionnaire. Five thousand police officers working in the Mazovian district will be screened. The participants will be random representatives of the group. The goal of the study is to assess the incidence rate of COVID-19 amongst police officers who are frontline workers during this epidemiological crisis
The results of the study will provide the Polish public administration authorities with data that can help develop effective precautionary regulations in containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Poland. The research group also anticipates that the results of the study will serve as the basis of a contingency plan in case of recurrence of a COVID-19 pandemic in the IV quarter of 2020.
The text is based on materials from the Polish Medical Research Agency (ABM)