Coronavirus versus 70% Alcohol: Comments and Some Fundamental Definitions

Abstract The new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is a global problem that is having severe impacts on health systems worldwide. One particular characteristic of this virus is its high transmission rate, which has led to a high demand for personal care materials such as masks, gloves, and alcohol for asepsis. Seventy percent is the ideal concentration for the ethanol used in hand sanitizers; however, this concentration can be expressed in different ways, and, consequently, the different solutions will have different antiseptic activity. In this manuscript we comment on some characteristics of alcohol-based preparations and the different ways of expressing the concentrations.

Pandemia COVID-19: ¿un cambio de paradigma en Occidente? / COVID-19 pandemic: a paradigm shift in the West?

In this article, we develop evidence-based recommendations to efficiently administer the limited resources of the healthcare facilities in medium and low income countries in the context of a pandemic. We searched MedLine database using the MeSH terms "Pneumonia, viral/prevention and control", "Pneumonia, viral/transmission", "Coronavirus Infections/prevention and control", "Coronavirus Infections/transmission", "COVID-19", "Masks/classification", "Masks/microbiology", "Respiratory Protective Devices", among others. We recommend that the general population wears a face mask. On the institutional level, ventilation and appropriate bed distancing proved to be effective preventive measures. The most important factor in the containment of an outbreak is the timely identification of infected patients. Negative pressure and ventilation systems are also highly recommended. Using a full face mask together with a surgical mask might be an option to deal with N95 respirators shortage. We present an integral strategy with coping measures for healthcare institutions and the society in general.

Elaboramos recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia para administrar los recursos imprescindibles en los centros sanitarios, en contexto de pandemia, en un país de bajos recursos económicos. Se realizaron búsquedas MedLine utilizando términos MeSH "Pneumonia, viral/prevention and control", "Pneumonia, viral/transmission", "Coronavirus Infections/prevention and control", "Coronavirus Infections/transmission", "COVID-19", "Masks/classification", "Masks/microbiology", "Respiratory Protective Devices", entre otros. Se recomienda que la población general porte mascarilla. A nivel institucional, la ventilación y el correcto distanciamiento de las camas son medidas de prevención efectivas. El factor más importante en la contención de un brote es la identificación oportuna de pacientes infectados. Se recomienda el uso de presión negativa y sistemas de ventilación. Ante la escasez de mascarillas tipo N95, el uso de protectores faciales totales y mascarilla quirúrgica es una opción factible. Proponemos una estrategia integral con medidas de afrontamiento para entidades sanitarias y la sociedad en general.

Estudo e avaliaçäo dos meios de biossegurança para o cirurgiäo-dentista e auxiliares contra doenças infecto-contagiosas no consultório odontológico / Evaluation of the methods for protection of dental team and prevention from infectious diseases

O presente trabalho visa alertar os cirurgiöes-dentistas para os perigos de transmissäo das doenças infecto-contagiosas no consultório odontológico e corrigir suas técnicas operatórias, visando o controle da infecçäo cruzada. Foram avaliados dispositivos de biossegurança, como máscaras faciais, máscaras retangulares e ovais, óculos e luvas existentes no comércio nacional. As luvas foram avaliadas com relaçäo à incidência de micro-perfuraçöes e localizaçäo dessas por horas de trabalho, e os outros dispositivos foram avaliados em relaçäo à eficiência, visibilidade e comodidade. Todos os dispositivos testados foram aprovados e indicados por serem eficientes