EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF COVID-19-SPECIFIC TREATMENTS IN SLE: A MULTICENTRE CASE-CONTROL STUDY

BackgroundCOVID-19 is associated with higher morbidity and mortality burdens in immunocompromised individuals, including patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE;1). These patients might benefit from treatment with anti-SARS-CoV-2-specific antiviral agents and monoclonal antibodies, but clinical evidence is to date limited.Objectivesto comparatively assess the course of COVID-19 in patients with SLE treated or untreated with COVID-19-specific agents.MethodsPatients with SLE and COVID-19 treated with antivirals and/or monoclonal antibodies from February 2020 to December 2022 were identified within a three-centre cohort of tertiary referral centres and age-, sex- SLE extension- and SLE duration-matched 1:2 with patients with a history of untreated COVID-19. Data on COVID-19 presentation, course (including time to viral clearance) and sequelae, along with SLE treatment at COVID-19 onset and SLE course after COVID-19 were collected. COVID-19 severity at presentation was quantitated through a 0-4 analogue scale [2]. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range, IQR) unless otherwise specified.ResultsOver three years, 39% of patients with SLE had at least one COVID-19 event. Eighteen subjects (16 women) were treated with antivirals (n=12) or monoclonal antibodies (n=6) and were matched with 36 controls. There was no difference in the frequency of organ involvement between the two groups. Treated patients were receiving significantly higher prednisone daily doses at COVID-19 onset (6.25 (0-10) vs 0 (0-2.5) mg;p=0.005) and had a higher prevalence of previous high-dose steroid treatments (83% vs 47%;p=0.019) compared to controls. SLE disease activity index (3 (0-5) vs 1 (0-4)) and SLE International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index scores (1 (0-3) vs 0 (0-1)) were also numerically higher in treated patients at COVID-19 onset. Patients in the treated group had more severe COVID-19 at presentation but showed no significant differences with control subjects in terms of COVID-19 resolution, prevalence of sequelae and viral clearance (Table 1). There was also no difference in flare occurrence between the two groups (Log-rank=0.02, p=0.889). Two patients reported mild adverse events with monoclonal antibodies (muscle cramps and chest pain, both self-resolving).ConclusionThese data support the safe use of COVID-19 specific treatments in patients with SLE. Patients treated with antivirals and monoclonal antibodies had a favourable COVID-19 course, despite a more severe presentation and a higher risk of deterioration due to SLE and corticosteroid treatment burden, suggesting the potential efficacy of COVID-specific treatments in preventing severe COVID-19 in patients with SLE.References[1]Strangfeld A et al, Ann Rheum Dis, 2021[2]World Health Organization. Clinical management of COVID-19;Interim guidance 27 May 2020.Table 1.COVID-19 presentation and courseTreated (n=18)Untreated (n=36)Number of vaccine doses3 (2-3)3 (2-3)Time from last vaccine administration (days)118 (53-184)134 (30-210)COVID-19 featuresWHO class at presentation1 (1-1)**0 (0-1)Symptoms at presentation: n(%)Dyspnoea3 (17)3 (8)Fever10 (56)22 (61)Upper Respiratory Symptoms16 (89)29 (81)GI symptoms1 (6)2 (6)Pneumonia3 (17)3 (8)COVID-19 courseTime to symptom resolution (days)5 (4-8)7 (3-8)Time to viral clearance (days)10 (7-14)9 (7-14)Any complication: n(%)1 (6)6 (17)Hospitalisations: n(%)1 (6)0 (0)Long COVID: n(%)3 (17)6 (17)Deaths: n(%)0 (0)1 (3)AcknowledgementsWe thank Dr. Giordano Vitali and his staff for assisting and treating patients with SLE and COVID-19 from IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in the local mild COVID-19 clinic.Disclosure of InterestsGiuseppe Alvise Ramirez Consultant of: Astrazeneca, Maria Gerosa: None declared, Daniel Arroyo-Sánchez: None declared, Chiara Asperti: None declared, Lorenza Maria Argolini: None declared, Gabriele Gallina: None declared, Chiara Bellocchi: None declared, Martina Cornalba: None declared, Isabella Scotti: None declared, Ilaria Suardi: None declared, Lorenzo Beretta: None declared, Luca Moroni Consultant of: strazeneca, Enrica Bozzolo: None declared, Roberto Caporali Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion, Fresenius, Galapagos, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Fresenius, Galapagos, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Lorenzo Dagna Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Biogen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly and Company, Galapagos, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, Swedish Orphan Biovitrium (SOBI), and Takeda, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Kiniksa, Merk Sharp & Dohme, Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and SOBI.

Airway remodeling in COVID-19 lungs

Besides parenchymal changes that have been described extensively in COVID-19, bronchiectasis is also reported but detailed characterization of airway changes is lacking. Hence, we aimed to quantify the number of visible airways and their diameters in end-stage COVID-19 lungs. Explanted right lungs, obtained after lung transplantation (n=2) or autopsy (n=1) (65.3+/-26.7 days after symptom onset), were inflated to total lung capacity, frozen and scanned with whole lung microCT (155 mum). Airways were segmented using Mimics Innovation Suite (Materialise, Belgium) and airway count and diameter were assessed using Neuronstudio. Three discarded donor lungs were used as controls. Number of visible airways increased in COVID-19 lungs compared to controls (fig.1a) potentially caused by airway remodeling and bronchiectasis (fig.1b, red arrows) due to fibrotic rearrangement (fig. 1b). Small airway count (diameter 0-2 mm) in generation (G) 1-11 was lower in COVID-19 patients compared to controls, with a shift of small airways from lower generations (G1-11) to higher generations (G12-27) in COVID-19 patients. Simultaneously, airways with a diameter > 2 mm were increased in all generations in COVID-19 (present until G21 compared to G13 in controls). This study shows that COVID-19 causes a remodeling of the (small) airways, leading to an increase of visible airways and diameter of large and small airways, similar to that seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis due to traction bronchiectasis. (Figure Presented).

The role of skin tests with polyethylene glycol and polysorbate 80 in the vaccination campaign for COVID-19: results from an Italian multicenter survey.

Summary: Background. International guidelines suggested skin tests with Polyethylene-glycol (PEG) and polysorbate 80 (PS-80), to investigate a possible hypersensitivity to these excipients either to identify subjects at risk of developing allergic reactions to Covid-19 vaccines, or in patients with suspected IgE mediated hypersensitivity reactions (HR) to the Covid-19 vaccine. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PEG and PS sensitization in patients with a clinical history of HR to drugs containing PEG/PS and in patients with a suspected Covid-19 vaccine immediate HR. Methods. This was a multicenter retrospective study conducted by allergists belonging to 20 Italian medical centers. Skin testing was performed in 531 patients with either a clinical history of suspected hypersensitivity reaction (HR) to drugs containing PEG and/or PS-80 (group 1:362 patient) or a suspected HR to Covid-19 vaccines (group 2: 169 patient), as suggested by the AAIITO/SIAAIC guidelines for the "management of patients at risk of allergic reactions to Covid-19 vaccines" [1]. Results. 10/362 (0.02%) had positive skin test to one or both excipients in group 1, 12/169 (7.1%) in group 2 (p less than 0.01). In group 2 HRs to Covid-19 vaccines were immediate in 10/12 of cases and anaphylaxis occurred in 4/12 of patients. Conclusions. The positivity of skin test with PEG and or PS before vaccination is extremely rare and mostly replaceable by an accurate clinical history. Sensitization to PEG and PS has to be investigated in patients with a previous immediate HR to a Covid-19 vaccine, in particular in patients with anaphylaxis.

Body Mass Index Change In People Living With HIV During The COVID-19 Pandemic In New York

Background. People living with HIV (PLHIV) suffer from adverse outcomes of metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with the stay-at-home status in 2020, resulted in physical inactivity and dietary changes leading to increases in weight and body mass index (BMI). Methods. This retrospective observational chart review evaluated PLHIV at an infectious diseases clinic with a documented BMI from 2017 to 2020. Data on patients' demographics, comorbidities, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) as of 2020 and the yearly values of BMI, A1c, and LDL from 2017 to 2020 were collected. Results. Among 256 HIV-infected persons, mean age+/-SD was 48.5+/-13.1 (median= 51;Q1-Q3: 39.5-57.5;range: 20-78) and 95 (37%) were female. Mean BMI were 28.19+/-6.32, 28.44+/-5.95, 28.57+/-5.91, and 29.00+/-6.09 for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively. Unadjusted and adjusted analysis showed a significant difference in BMI across time, where the mean BMI in 2020 was significantly higher than in 2017 (p< 0.0001), 2018 (p< 0.0001), and 2019 (p< 0.0001). Furthermore, for each consecutive year prior to 2019, there was no significant difference in mean BMI (2017 vs. 2018, p< 0.3464;2018 vs. 2019, p< 0.4671;2017 vs. 2019, p< 0.0861). There was a significant difference in A1c when adjusting for age, sex, race, and ART (Geometric Mean: 5.64, 5.68, 5.68, 5.78 for 2017 through 2020), with the visit year 2020 being significantly higher than 2017 (p< 0.003) and 2019 (p< 0.023) but not 2018 (p< 0.092). There were no significant differences in annual LDL using the same variables for adjustment. Body mass index (BMI) increased over time from 2017 to 2020 Mean BMI were 28.2+/-6.3, 28.4+/-5.9, 28.6+/-5.9, and 29.0+/-6.1 for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively. Pairwise comparison of BMI from 2017 to 2020 Unadjusted and adjusted analysis showed a significant difference in BMI across time, where the mean BMI in 2020 was significantly higher than in 2017 (p<0.0001), 2018 (p<0.0001), and 2019 (p<0.0001). Furthermore, for each consecutive year prior to 2019, there was no significant difference in mean BMI (2017 vs. 2018, p<0.3464;2018 vs. 2019, p<0.4671;2017 vs. 2019, p<0.0861). Conclusion. Among PLHIV at our clinic, there was a substantial BMI increase in 2020, possibly due to the stay-at-home status in early 2020. A previous study utilized questionnaires to estimate the weight change in this patient population but this is the first report of documented BMI in the clinic setting. It is important to note that the magnitude of these differences was small and should be interpreted with caution. On the other hand, depending on a person's initial height and weight, a one-unit change in BMI may translate to a substantial weight gain, which can be meaningful.

Overlapping Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher syndromes as an unusual complication of COVID-19. Case report

Guillain-Barré syndrome and its variants are among the neurological complications induced by SARS-CoV-2. A 49-year-old woman with COVID-19. After 14 days of presenting respiratory symptoms, she started with paresthesias, facial and limb weakness, dysphagia, ataxia, and respiratory failure. An unusual picture of overlapping Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher syndromes was diagnosed. Nerve conduction study showed myelin damage. IgEV was used, recovery started one week after starting treatment. Guillain-Barré syndrome and its variants are a complication of COVID-19 whose diagnosis can become more complex in cases of unusual presentation where different clinical subtypes overlap. © 2022 Asociación Colombiana de Medicina Crítica y Cuidado lntensivo

Case study: COVID-19 in persons deprived of liberty in Honduras

People deprived of liberty coexist in spaces conducive to spreading infectious diseases, which is why, in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is required to strengthen health surveillance in prisons. Methodology: This study describes the clinical findings in eleven (11) patients deprived of liberty with acute respiratory disease and an epidemiological link to COVID-19. They underwent: a medical assessment, a rapid test to detect antibodies for SARS-CoV-2, and two blood counts and they were provided with a group of regulated medications. Results: It was found that at least 27% (3/11) have a history of some chronic non-communicable disease. The most frequent symptom was fever, manifesting in 91% of the patients (10/11), followed by persistent cough in 64% of them (7/11) and anosmia in 55% (6/11). Comparing the initial blood count with the follow-up blood count, a mean of nine thousand ninety (9, 090) leukocytes and nine thousand nine hundred (9, 900) were found for the first and second blood counts, respectively. Conclusion: The changes observed in the patients of the El Porvenir Penitentiary Center are inconclusive. The statistical test results are the product of the small number of cases studied. Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

Technostress and its effect on productivity in university students in times of COVID-19

In recent years, students have been confronted with new technological demands and requirements and have had to devote a significant amount of time to their learning. However, these new academic demands could cause them negative effects such as technostress. Technostress is a disorder that involves a series of responses that affect human behavior and conduct. Based on the Person-Environment Fit Theory, this study aims to determine the existence of technostress in university students and its effect on their individual productivity. For this purpose, an online survey was applied to Chilean university students. The results of the structural equation analysis allow us to conclude that technostress is intensified in students when institutional support is insufficient in a context of high academic demand in the integration of ICT in their curriculum and that the lack of competencies in the use of technological tools increases the levels of technostress and decreases their productivity. © 2022, Universidad del Zulia. All rights reserved.

THE IMPACT of ANTI-SARS-COV-2 VACCINES in A MULTICENTER COHORT STUDY of PATIENTS with SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background: Vulnerable subjects, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have been prioritised to receive anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Questions have been raised about the effect of vaccines on immunity and their potential role as trigger for fare. Few data about the safety of these vaccines in SLE are available Objectives: To investigate the safety of different anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in SLE Methods: Data on SLE patients who have received anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (from 12/2020 to 10/2021) were collected. Patients referred to 7 SLE tertiary centres (Lupus Clinic, ASST Pini-CTO, Milan;Nephrology Unit of Ospedale Giovanni Bosco, Turin;IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital;Renal and Rheumatology Units, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza;ASST Spedali Civili Brescia;Lupus Clinic IRCCS Ospedale S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy;IRCCS Policlinico, Milan) Results: 452 SLE patients who had received anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were included (91% BNT162b2 mRNA, 8% mRNA-1273, 1% ChAdOx1-S). 12 (3%) were off therapy, 71% were on low-medium dose prednisone, 83% on anti-ma-larials, 50% were treated with an immunosuppressant. 9 patients transiently discontinued therapy. 119 (26%) reported adverse symptoms after the frst/second shot (12% and 21%) The most frequent were fever, local reaction, fatigue and arthralgias. Nineteen (4%) patients fared up after immunisation with a 7 days median time to relapse. Baseline demographics, SLE characteristics and therapy stratifed by adverse events and disease fare are reported in Table 1. Anti-dsDNA positivity, moderate/high DAS before vaccine and use of Belimumab were sig-nifcantly more frequent in the group of patients fared. These patients displayed a signifcantly higher rate of adverse events after vaccination. Flares consisted mainly musculoskeletal and constitutional manifestations (32%), involvement of renal (21%), cardio-respiratory (16%), hematological (16%) or mucocutaneous domains (10%) was less frequent Conclusion: our reassuring data confrm that anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is safe in SLE patients and should be recommended in this clinical setting, as potential benefts widely outweigh the risk of adverse events. Treatment adjustment might be considered with the aim of minimizing the risk of side effects and/or fare, while ensuring a satisfying protection against infection.

Development of a Chatbot with NLP for the Prefecture of Los Rios in Ecuador

The coronavirus has prevented face-to-face consultations of procedures in the entities, so Ecuadorian companies have opted to use technological tools to provide smooth service to their customers. Among them is the Chatbot, which allows users to receive personalized attention through a computer. This paper presents the development of a chatbot for the Prefecture of Los Rios in Ecuador. The main objective is to present the development of a chatbot for the attention and management of services offered to citizens of the Prefecture of Los Rios. Direct research for collecting the necessary information and a qualitative approach study for the development of this project involved interviews in learning about the needs and requirements of citizens. The Chatbot Prefectura Los Ríos uses frameworks for natural language processing developed from a Dialog flow tool, resulting in users' acceptance. © 2022 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

Preoperative Information of the Patient and Psychological Suitability for Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a challenge for the patient itself, the family’s patients the clinical approach, and the surgery team. Also for the society economically, politically, and as a health pandemic illness. Nothing statically has been more for sure in the obesity ill than the complications related. And now in the settings of these new contexts that imply the SARS-COV 19 pandemic complications which means a new wide window that we need to close trying to avoid the fatalities that would be a high cost to pay for everyone. For these reasons and others well known the patients seeking an obesity surgery must be more than ever well informed and with a highly accurate psychological profiling looking the best treatment for each patient in their settings. And avoid cooking recipes. Now it is a challenge for everyone. In this chapter, we are going to boarding the basic information pre-op for those patients, like expectations, possible risk, and complications, and at the same time an accurate psychologist profile for the best surgical bariatric alternatives. This is a revisional literature chapter looking for the different knowledge among the data published around the world and time. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Psychological Safety Training for Senior Hospital Managment in Coping with COVID-19

Introduction: Management of workers' health in relation to psychological safety has emerged as an essential objective in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Training provided to senior hospital management is a preventive action that should be included in the management of the current pandemic. Objective: To develop a psychological safety training program for senior hospital management as part of the primary prevention actions provided in the Psychological Safety Management Protocol for Health Personnel Working Directly with COVID-19– Affected Patients. Methods: A development study was carried out, which included a narrative bibliographic review and the use of theoretical research methods. Results: A training program was created, which includes three topics for working at the organizational level: psychological safety in emergencies and disasters, leadership and communication, and organizational management. Conclusions: The training program developed includes contents that contribute to the development of psychological safety of the healthcare personnel and to the integrated management of processes. It was useful to prepare senior hospital management to cope with COVID-19. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Risk perception and the impact of the sars-cov-2 (Corona virus) pandemic on rheumatic diseases in Mexico

Objectives: To describe risk perception and its relationship with sources of information consulted, actions, and the impact of the pandemic on the physical and mental health as well as social aspects of a group of patients from the rheumatology consultation. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 10 to November 29, 2020 in rheumatic diseases (RD) patients who returned to an outpatient clinic in Mexico following the Stay at home program implemented from March 23 to July 31. An online questionnaire was administered on mobile devices. Measurements: Assessment of the patient's health status by rheumatologist (visual analog scale ranging 0-10) and some sections of the UNIV-COVID-19 questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was performed. Measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables and frequency measures for categorical variables. Normality was checked with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Inferential statistical tests were performed to determine differences between the COVID-19 + vs -groups with Chi-square and Student's t test for nominal and continuous sociodemographic variables, respectively. Logistic regressions were performed. Results: A total of 471 patients with RD were included, 84.5% women, aged 46.9 (SD 14.5) years old;rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the most prevalent diagnosis 42.4%. 4.8%had SARS-CoV-2 infection, 21.74% required hospitalization. Treatment modification was reported in 36.1% (66.6% discontinued);health condition worsened in 39.1% of the patients. 52.1% of the patients who made modifications in their treatment had COVID-19 and 39.1% of those who had COVID-19 reported that their health condition worsened. The perception of risk was 85.9% (very serious/serious). The preventive action carried out was home isolation 44.3%. Television was consulted 88.7%and alert 74.5%the most prevalent feeling, while 7% said they felt discriminated. The logistic regression analysis revealed that having SpA, taking leflunomide, feeling discriminated, and greater perception of risk were associated with having COVID-19. The bimodal results for each variable are presented to indicate the change on action taken per group. Conclusion: The risk perception in RD patients was very high. 5% had COVID-19. The impact on disease activity, physical/mental health was greater in patients with COVID-19. Discrimination of RD and COVID-19 patients is an important phenomenon.

Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with IGG4-related disease. a collaborative european multi-centre study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic-spread systemic infectious disease with prominent respiratory manifestations and significant associated morbidity and mortality. Elderly people are most significantly affected with mortality ranging from 2.4% (age 60-69) to 19.6% (age≥80) in European Countries. The prevalence of COVID-19 and of its complications in patients with immune-mediated disorders, remains unclear. The frequency and impact of COVID-19 on patients with IgG4-related diease (IgG4-RD), many of whom are on concurrent immunosuppression has not been addressed. Objectives: To assess the epidemiological and clinical relevance of COVID-19 in patients with IgG4-RD. Methods: This is a multi-centre retrospective observational study of IgG4-RD patients from France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Demographics, comorbidities, IgG4-RD features, current and past treatment along with COVID-19-suggestive symptoms and COVID-19 diagnoses from February 2020 to January 2021 were recorded by means of direct or phone interviews. Patients with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction-confirmed (cCOVID) or presumed COVID-19 based on clinical, serological or imaging features (pCOVID) were pooled for analysis (totCOVID) and compared to patients who were not diagnosed with COVID-19. Inter-group comparison of categorical and quantitative variables were performed by using the chi-square test with Fisher's correction and the Mann-Whitney's test respectively. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range) unless otherwise specified. Results: A total of 305 patients [71% males, median age 64 (54-74) years] were studied. Pancreato-biliary disease was the most frequently observed IgG4-RD phenotype (39%). Fifty-one percent of patients were taking corticosteroids at time of interview and 30% were on biological or conventional immunosuppressants. Thirty-two totCOVID cases (23 cCOVID, nine pCOVID) were identified: 11/32 were hospitalised, two needed intensive care and four (13%;3/4 aged ≥80 years) died. Having one or more infected family members was a risk factor for COVID-19 in patients with IgG4-RD (OR=19.9;p<0.001). No other demographic, clinical or treatment features associated with COVID-19. In particular there was no association between adverse outcomes with COVID-19 and higher doses of steroids (≥20mg) or rituximab administration. Conclusion: The prevalence and course of COVID-19 in IgG4-RD patients are similar to those of the general population of the same age, with no evident impact of disease-or treatment-related factors to the basal infectious risk. Effective public health countermeasures might be beneficial for patients with IgG4RD.

Developing an Optical Interferometric Detection Method based biosensor for detecting specific SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins in Serum and Saliva, and their corresponding ELISA correlation.

The standard rapid approach for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA. The detection of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins is crucial for screening people who have been exposed to the virus, whether or not they presented symptoms. Recent publications report different methods for the detection of specific IgGs, IgMs, and IgAs against SARS-CoV-2; these methods mainly detect immunoglobulins in the serum using conventional techniques such as rapid lateral flow tests or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this article, we report the production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the development of a rapid, reliable, cost-effective test, capable of detecting immunoglobulins in serum and saliva samples. This method is based on interferometric optical detection. The results obtained using this method and those obtained using ELISA were compared. Owing to its low cost and simplicity, this test can be used periodically for the early detection, surveillance, detection of immunity, and control of the spread of COVID-19.

Seroepidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in 41 municipalities in Honduras wth no reports of active cases, COVID-19, June 16-23, 2020

Introduction: In Honduras on March 12, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 was reported. From that moment on, a series of measures were adopted to slow down contact throughout the country. By June 2020, cases are reported across the whole country. With the objective of identifying the presence and circulation of SARS-CoV-2, characterizing and identifying suggestive symptoms of COVID-19 in the population, the present study was carried out. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, using a quantitative and qualitative approach, using the LQAS sampling method. The study population was the inhabitants of the identified municipalities, with no current circulation data for SARS-CoV-2 or the municipalities whose last confirmed case was 21 days ago. The data was collected through an electronic survey, it was possible to apply rapid antibody detection tests (IgG and IgM). Results: 792 people from 41 municipalities of the country were surveyed and tested. Positivity of contact was found in 6.2% (49/792). Of these, 55.1% (27/49) are men. 61.2% (30/49) are between 20 and 49 years old.The clinical symptoms found were fever, decreased appetite, respiratory distress, and loss of taste and smell, the 49.2% (32/49) without symptoms. Conclusions: virus circulation was demonstrated in the population of municipalities in which no cases were officially reported and after 96 days of the first confirmed case in the country. Detection of virus -specific antibodies could be important in surveys for asymptomatic infection in areas where contact is expected.