Health workers are a fundamental pillar for the world, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Health workers in the Americas:
More than 9 million: Number of health workers in the Americas, including doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and hospital staff (Amnesty International calculations based on PAHO data)
At least 70%: Number of women who make up the workforce of health workers in the Americas (Amnesty International calculations based on WHO and OECD data)
COVID-19 in the Americas:
More than 2 million: Number of cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Americas region, according to WHO/PAHO (Figures updated 15 May)
Health workers affected by COVID-19
More than 9,000 – Number of COVID-19 positive health workers in the United States, according to the CDC, latest update 9 April.
100 – Number of nurses that have died from COVID-19 in the United States, according to the National Nurses Union - USA (figures as of May 12)
109 – Number of nurses who have died in Brazil from COVID-19 as of 12 May, according to National Council of Nurses of Brazil
4,128 – Number of nurses who have contracted COVID-19 in Brazil, according to the National Council of Nurses of Brazil
73 – Percentage of health workers with COVID-19 in the United States that are female, according to CDC (latest update 9 April)
2 – Number of health workers who told Amnesty International they had adequate or almost adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), out of 21 health workers interviewed in United States, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Paraguay
5 – Number of dollars per day (USD) earned by a 70-year old cleaner interviewed by Amnesty International in a public hospital in Mexico City with a significant number of COVID-19 patients
