One-Year Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and Rotavirus in Water Matrices from a Hot Spring Area.

The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still impacting not only on human health but also all economic activities, especially in those related to tourism. In this study, in order to characterize the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a hot spring park in Uruguay, swimming pools water, wastewater, and surface water from this area were analyzed by quantitative PCR. Wastewater from Salto city located next to the hydrothermal spring area was also evaluated as well as the presence of Rotavirus (RV). Overall, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 13% (13/102) of the analyzed samples. Moreover, this virus was not detected in any of the samples from the swimming pools water and was present in 18% (3/17) of wastewater samples from the hotels area showing the same trend between the titer of SARS-CoV-2 and the number of infected people in Salto city. SARS-CoV-2 was also detected in wastewater samples (32% (11/34)) from Salto city, detecting the first positive sample when 105 persons were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Rotavirus was detected only in 10% (2/24) of the wastewater samples analyzed in months when partial lockdown measures were taken, however, this virus was detected in nearly all wastewater samples analyzed when social distancing measures and partial lockdown were relaxed. Wastewater results confirmed the advantages of using the detection and quantification of viruses in this matrix in order to evaluate the presence of these viruses in the population, highlighting the usefulness of this approach to define and apply social distancing. This study suggests that waters from swimming pools are not a source of infection for SARS-CoV-2, although more studies are needed including infectivity assays in order to confirm this statement.

Indicators Affecting Families in the West Paraná Region (Brazil) During the Covid-19 Crisis

The various crises that occur over the years in the world leave marks and negative effects on society. In 2020, it was no different with the emergence of COVID-19, which spread throughout the world. The study aimed to verify the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on families in the western region of Paraná (Brazil) on economic, social, health, family relationships, education and technology aspects. As a methodological design, the research is classified as quantitative, using a survey questionnaire to survey the data, applied online by google forms and the data analysis was descriptive. As a result, it is highlighted that crises generate sequelae, be they financial, emotional or social. It is concluded that the pandemic generated by COVID-19 had negative effects in all the analyzed indicators, and that technology was the key so that people could continue to work, to study, even in social isolation. © 2022, Revista Portuguesa de Estudos Regionais. All rights reserved.