Nosocomial infection of COVID-19: A new challenge for healthcare professionals (Review)

Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, pose a serious challenge to healthcare professionals globally during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nosocomial infection of COVID-19 directly impacts the quality of life of patients, as well as results in extra expenditure to hospitals. It has been shown that COVID-19 is more likely to transmit via close, unprotected contact with infected patients. Additionally, current preventative and containment measures tend to overlook asymptomatic individuals and superspreading events. Since the mode of transmission and real origin of COVID-19 in hospitals has not been fully elucidated yet, minimizing nosocomial infection in hospitals remains a difficult but urgent task for healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals globally should form an alliance against nosocomial COVID-19 infections. The fight against COVID-19 may provide valuable lessons for the future prevention and control of nosocomial infections. The present review will discuss some of the key strategies to prevent and control hospital-based nosocomial COVID-19 infections.