Manejo de un brote de COVID-19 en un despliegue. (Spanish)

Covid-19 outbreak management in a deployed setting. (English)

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of our society, and international missions are not an exception. With this study we intended to share our experience with an outbreak of COVID-19 in an area of operations. Material and methods: A prospective observational study was performed from 11/23/2021 - 02/22/2022. The variables studied were: sex, age, days since the last vaccine dose, type of vaccine in the first and second doses (Moderna, Pfizer or Astrazeneca), in-theatre deployment with one or two doses, covid-19 prior to deployment, covid-19 during deployment, symptomatology (asymptomatic, anosmia, cough, fever, malaise, headache, runny nose) and volunteering for vaccination in area of operations. Results: A total of 188 (32.1% of the contingent) were positive during the period studied, with 183 close contacts. Of the contingent, 23 (3.9%) were women and 572 (96.1%) men, with a mean age of 32 years. 64.4% were asymptomatic. The symptoms presented were: 10.9% anosmia, 35.9% cough, 9.4% runny nose, 32.8% headache, 57.8% malaise and 20.3% fever. They were all mild cases. Of the positive cases, 90% of those who were vaccinated with a single dose were asymptomatic at diagnosis versus 64% of those vaccinated with two doses (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our experience with a COVID-19 outbreak during a mission reflects the importance of prevention and control measures for the correct development of the mission. Use of masks is essential, as well as trying to maintain social distancing in the bases. The use of rapid antigen test for diagnosis and screening is a useful and affordable tool. Lax quarantine protocols allow the correct development of the operations without an increase in the risk of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antecedentes y objetivos: la pandemia por COVID-19 ha afectado a todos los ámbitos de la sociedad, las misiones internacionales no son una excepción. Con este trabajo pretendemos compartir nuestra experiencia con un brote de COVID-19 en zona de operaciones (ZO). Material y métodos: estudio observacional prospectivo del 23 de noviembre de 2021 al 22 de febrero de 2022. Las variables estudiadas fueron: sexo, edad, días desde la última dosis de vacuna, tipo de vacuna en primera y segunda dosis (Moderna, Pfizer o Astrazeneca), despliegue a zona de operaciones con una dosis o dos dosis, covid-19 previo a despliegue, covid-19 en despliegue, sintomatología (asintomático, anosmia, tos, fiebre, malestar general, cefalea, mucosidad) y voluntariedad para la vacunación en zona de operaciones. Resultados: un total de 188 (31,6% del contingente) resultaron positivos en el periodo estudiado, generando un total de 183 contactos estrechos. Del contingente, 23 (3,9%) fueron mujeres y 572 (96,1%) varones, con una media de edad de 32 años. El 64,4% fueron asintomáticos. Los síntomas presentados fueron: 10,9% anosmia, 35,9% tos, 9,4% mucosidad, 32,8% cefalea, 57,8% malestar general y 20,3% fiebre. Todos fueron casos leves. De los casos positivos, el 90% de los vacunados con una sola dosis fueron asintomáticos al diagnóstico versus un 64% de los vacunados con dos dosis (p = 0,01). Conclusiones: la experiencia con un brote de COVID-19 en zona de operaciones refleja la importancia de tomar medidas de prevención y control para el correcto desarrollo de la misión. Es fundamental el uso de mascarillas, así como intentar respetar la distancia social en las bases. El uso de test rápido de detección de antígeno como diagnóstico y cribado es una medida útil y asequible. Protocolos de cuarentena laxos permiten continuar con las operaciones sin aumentar en exceso el riesgo de infección. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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