University of Birmingham — MedicalXPress — 7 October 2020
Healthcare workers who self-isolated after developing symptoms of COVID-19 were more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency, with Black, Asian and ethnic minority workers particularly affected, a new study by experts at The University of Birmingham found. Of 392 healthcare workers analysed, over half had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Staff who were vitamin D deficient had a higher rate of seroconversion (72%) compared to those without deficiency (51%). Professor David Thickett said: “Our data adds to the emerging evidence that individuals with severe COVID-19 are more vitamin D deficient than those with mild disease, and further demonstrates the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in individuals at risk.”