Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among healthcare workers in a tertiary public hospital in Curitiba, Brazil

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Curitiba, Brazil. METHODS: Upper respiratory samples from 1077 HCWs were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction from June 16, 2020 to December 9, 2020. RESULTS: Overall, 32.7% of HCWs were infected. The positivity rates in symptomatic and asymptomatic HCWs were 39.2% and 15.9%, respectively. Hospital departments categorized as high-risk for exposure had the highest number of infected HCWs. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and isolation of infected HCWs remain key in controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission because HCWs in close contact with COVID-19 patients are more likely to be infected than those who are not.

O Ensino de Geriatria e Gerontologia na Graduação Médica / Teaching of Geriatrics and Gerontology at Medical School

RESUMO Este ensaio evidencia aspectos de relevância para o ensino de Geriatria e Gerontologia nas escolas médicas brasileiras, balizados na literatura atual sobre a temática e no diálogo com docentes de Geriatria. Vislumbramos a inserção acadêmica da Geriatria e Gerontologia como uma aproximação gradual das escolas do processo de envelhecimento e suas consequências médico-sociais. Para que isto ocorra, enfatizamos a utilização de ações verdadeiramente interdisciplinares que perpassem de forma longitudinal todos os anos do curso médico e integrem as demais especialidades. A ampliação e diversificação dos cenários formais de aprendizagem, além da preocupação com a capacitação e qualificação docente nesta área foram identificadas como pilares indispensáveis à formação de profissionais que possam atender de forma adequada às necessidades de saúde da população idosa nas próximas décadas.

ABSTRACT This study highlights relevant aspects for teaching Geriatrics and Gerontology at Brazilian medical schools in accordance with current literature on the subject and on dialogues with Geriatrics teachers. We focus on academic insertion of geriatrics and gerontology as a form of gradually bringing schools more in touch with the aging process and its social-medical consequences. We therefore emphasize the use of real interdisciplinary actions that cross through all the years of the medical course and integrate it with other specialties. The expansion and diversification of formal learning scenarios, as well as the concern with teacher training and qualification in this area, have been identified as essential pillars for preparing professionals who can adequately meet the health needs of the elderly population in the coming decades.