ABSTRACT
Objective: The CoVIDA project is a public-private collaboration led by Universidad de los Andes that contributed to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological surveillance in Bogotá and nearby municipalities. We aimed to describe the development and performance of the Drive/Walk-through free RT- PCR for SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy implemented by CoVIDA. Material and method: We performed a descriptive analysis of the characteristics and performance of the CoVIDA Drive/Walk-through testing centers. The model and the process indicators to assess the model’s performance were based on international experiences and scientific literature. Two screening centers were implemented in shopping centers in the north and south of Bogotá. We reported the number of tests taken, the number of positive tests, and the number of participants that used the model by the type of occupations. Results: In total, 36,689 nasopharyngeal RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 were performed with a 5.75% cumulative positivity. Process indicators showed an excellent performance and an important contribution in reducing barriers to access to testing. Conclusions: the CoVIDA Drive/Walk-through testing centers supported the epidemiological surveillance in asymptomatic or mild-symptomatic population in Bogotá. Low and middle-income countries can use this model as a cost-effective and innovative solution strategy to intensify testing and help mitigate the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Acute respiratory failure (FRA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatrics, it has a multifactorial origin. Additionally, there are few high-altitude studies in the pediatric population in Latin America. Objective: Calculate the incidence, analyze the causes, treatments, factors associated with the development, severity, mortality and burden of FRA disease in three hospitals in Bogotá. Study design: It is a multicenter prospective cohort study. As eligibility criteria, those older than 1 month and younger than 18 years with respiratory distress. Those who develop FRA, will be follow-up at diagnosis, 48 hours after admission, at discharge, 30 and 60 days after discharge. Data collection period 03/2020-06/2021. Results: From the 197 recruited patients the incidence of FRA is 49%, 52% of the population is male, average age 3.7 years, mostly patients under 1 year. From those FRA, 68% have required hospitalization in the intensive care unit with a mean stay of 9.6 days. The most widely used ventilation device is the high-flow cannula (41%). Different etiological isolation methods have been used for viral and bacterial causes, including PCR for COVID-19 in 72% of the whole population, positive in 9% of the cases. So far with mortality secondary to FRA of 6%. Conclusions: Given the impact of FRA in the pediatric population, FARA is presented as an epidemiological study developed at a high altitude, with the purpose of contributing to scientific knowledge, and additionally related to the characterization of the pediatric population with COVID 19.
ABSTRACT
The article presents a general overview on COVID-19 transmission in the context of public transport, particularly applicable to decision making in Latin America. Based on recent findings on COVID-19 transmission and the relative importance of each factor (droplets, fomites, and aerosol routes) in such transmission, we seek to update the discussion on the topic that has generally been based on social distance as the only parameter for reducing the risk of transmission and broadens the vision to integrate ventilation, users' behavior (mask and eye protection use, silence while in the transport system) and travel distance. Recommendations to improve mobility conditions reducing the risk of COVID-19 contagion are provided. © 2021 Asociacion Colombiana de Infectologia. All rights reserved.