ABSTRACT
Environmental Health takes on a relevant role in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the different activities that must be developed from its approach to the prevention and control of the virus transmission, being useful for its containment and the progressive population deconfinement. In this sense, educational training in the area is necessary, and considering the restrictions and limitations to access, it was established the creation of a basic virtual course on the actions of the different protocols issued in Ecuador from Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabi, The proposal is made up of six (6) completely remote modules: Relevant definitions, Basic lines of action, Personal actions, Cleaning and disinfection of spaces, Drinking water and comprehensive sanitation system, and Environmental surveillance of recreational spaces. The contents will be taught completely remotely, set on the Moodle digital platform, with didactic resources and different evaluation strategies in order to build knowledge.
ABSTRACT
Studies concerning Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in paediatrics are limited to children mainly selected from hospitals, where patients with complications and co-morbidities are managed. We aimed to describe the course of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a population of children enrolled by place of residence, from diagnosis to recovery, with a long-term clinical and serological follow-up. We identified patients aged <14 years old living in the Turin Health District 3 who had SARS-CoV-2 detected in at least one nasopharyngeal swab from 1st March to 1st June 2020. Epidemiological and clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection were collected by way of a telephone inquiry. Enrolled patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 serology in order to provide evidence of seroconversion and persistence of specific antibodies some time after the infection. A total of 46 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection/COVID-19 were identified. The main pattern of viral transmission was intra-family. Eleven children were totally asymptomatic. If symptoms appeared, the disease had a mild course. A single case of COVID-19-related respiratory insufficiency was registered. Among children who underwent serological evaluation, 84% had seroconversion. No significant differences in antibody development were found according to the age and the burden of the disease. Children tested farther from the primary infection had lower antibody index titre values than the others. In conclusion, COVID-19 has a good prognosis in paediatric age. Children are able to develop a valid immune response, although their index titres seem to decrease a long time after the disease.