ABSTRACT
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, and in absence of dedicated structures, an ambulatory medical centre dedicated to patients suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 was created by a group of general practitioners (GP). Objective was to take care of patients under hygienic conditions satisfactory to physicians and patients. Ten days were needed to set up the center in a gymnasium. The center allowed complete medical management of patients (consultation, sampling and diagnosis, follow-up) in adequate hygienic conditions (patient and caregiver circuits with "forward walking", dedicated rooms, hygiene equipment, waste management, etc.). The objectives of the article are to describe the organization of the COVID-19 center, to present the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of suspected COVID-19 patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 and confirmed cases for patients who consulted between the April 7 and May 15, 2020. From April 1 to June 12, 2020, 824 consultations were carried out and 11 patients were hospitalized. Patients were referred to the center by their general practitioner (58%), hospital doctors or the Samu-Center 15, the French emergency call center (15%). The consultations were 70% initial and 30% follow-up consultations, especially after hospitalization. The proportion of patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 has increased over time (from 39%, week 15 to 66%, week 20) and the positive rate of samples has decreased (from 28% to 0%). The most frequently tested patients were those with criteria of severity, those in contact with fragile people, healthcare professionals (HCP) and those who consulted from week 18 to 20. The most frequently positive patients for SARS-CoV-2 were women, those aged 60 years and over, HCP and those with ageusia, those with seriousness criteria and those who consulted from week 15 to 17. No cases of COVID-19 have been reported among professionals due to their activities in the center. Situated between community and hospital care, the COVID-19 center provided an emergency response to an unprecedented epidemic caused by a contagious infectious agent. Such an organization would deserve to be supported by professionalized structures with financial resources that could be mobilized urgently.