Night shift workers are more likely to be admitted to a hospital with coronavirus, study says Nearly 25 million Americans work night shifts
Night shift workers are up to three times more likely to be admitted to a hospital with coronavirus, according to a new study by researchers at Manchester University.
Experts said those working irregular hours could be more at risk of infection because their sleep is disrupted, which damages the immune system and its ability to fight off pathogens.
Past studies have regularly found that people who work shift patterns or who work at night tend to be more sick.
The study showed shift workers were three times more likely to have severe COVID-19.
The study was not able to explain exactly why the risk was higher for shift workers, but explained various reasons, including weakened immune system and an increased occupancy in workspaces.
Experts say good quality sleep is crucial for long-term health.
Nearly 25 million Americans work night shifts.
Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Author Gretchen Nowroozi was born and raised in Houston. She started working at KSAT as an intern in 2019 after graduating from Michigan State University. She is a producer for Good Morning San Antonio.
KSAT Investigates: Agencies tight-lipped after teacher shot at Comal County school ▶ 1:22
KSAT Investigates: Agencies tight-lipped after teacher shot at Comal County school
A few showers for your morning commute ▶ 0:22
A few showers for your morning commute
Missions stadium redevelopment moves one step closer ▶ 1:59
Missions stadium redevelopment moves one step closer
Customers say mariachi group is a no-show after bookings ▶ 2:30
Customers say mariachi group is a no-show after bookings
Complaints mount against Cibolo animal services officer after dog’s death ▶ 0:46
Complaints mount against Cibolo animal services officer after dog’s death
What we know so far about the Comal County high school shooting ▶ 1:53
What we know so far about the Comal County high school shooting
JCB plant in San Antonio set to be the largest worldwide ▶ 0:56
JCB plant in San Antonio set to be the largest worldwide
What we know about the shooting at Hill Country College Prep HS ▶ 1:28
What we know about the shooting at Hill Country College Prep HS
15 year old student shoots a teacher then takes his own life ▶ 1:56
15 year old student shoots a teacher then takes his own life
No active threat on campus at Hill Country Prep High School in Bulverde ▶ 1:22
No active threat on campus at Hill Country Prep High School in Bulverde
City of San Antonio says Ackerman Road dip under Kirby’s jurisdiction ▶ 1:26
City of San Antonio says Ackerman Road dip under Kirby’s jurisdiction
Atascosa County fire seems like a bad case of déjà vu ▶ 1:28
Atascosa County fire seems like a bad case of déjà vu
New SNAP restrictions affecting some stores ▶ 1:05
New SNAP restrictions affecting some stores
Proposed border wall threatens prehistoric cave art ▶ 1:10
Proposed border wall threatens prehistoric cave art
Adam Caskey has your Weather Authority cold front forecast ▶ 0:12
Adam Caskey has your Weather Authority cold front forecast
Hundreds of millions of dollars lost each year to scams at crypto ATMs ▶ 0:41
Hundreds of millions of dollars lost each year to scams at crypto ATMs
Bank teller and police officer help stop a scam ▶ 1:29
Bank teller and police officer help stop a scam
Family of Matthew Guerra reacts to guilty verdict ▶ 0:20
Family of Matthew Guerra reacts to guilty verdict
Family reacts to guilty verdict in Christopher Preciado trial ▶ 1:03
Family reacts to guilty verdict in Christopher Preciado trial
Verdict reached in Christopher Preciado capital murder trial ▶ 0:56
Verdict reached in Christopher Preciado capital murder trial
Castle Hills police department says the armed suspect shot this morning has died ▶ 0:26
Castle Hills police department says the armed suspect shot this morning has died
How to find accurate TSA wait times at airports around the country ▶ 1:27
How to find accurate TSA wait times at airports around the country
Records show New Braunfels ISD pulling, restricting more books than it has publicly listed ▶ 2:13
Records show New Braunfels ISD pulling, restricting more books than it has publicly listed
Residents hope to stave off light pollution caused by rapid growth of nearby San Antonio ▶ 1:15
Residents hope to stave off light pollution caused by rapid growth of nearby San Antonio
74 year old woman hit crossing South General McMullen ▶ 1:36
74 year old woman hit crossing South General McMullen
Previous photo Next photo