INTRODUCTION
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an acute respiratory illness caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic. This disease emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and the virus was first identified in January 2020, proven to be transmitted through contact and droplets1. The pandemic has spread worldwide; up to May 5th 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 3,517,345 cases, and 243.401 deaths2.In Chile, the first COVID-19 case was confirmed on March 3rd 2020; up to May 5th 2020, the Chilean Health Ministry reported 22,016 cases, and 275 deaths3.
The most frequently reported symptoms are fever, cough, malaise, dyspnea, anorexia, and myalgias. Other less common symptoms are odynophagia, nausea, diarrhea, headache, and abdominal pain, and in some cases it may even be asymptomatic1. Several cases of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction have been reported in association to SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet further studies are required to establish their prevalence and natural history1.
Otolaryngologists are at a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, given the high viral loads reported in the upper respiratory tract4, which is the main area examined and manipulated in endoscopic procedures by the specialty, increasing the risk of viral aerosols generation and propagation5.Givi et a l. recommend that non-urgent appointments or endoscopic examinations of the upper airway mucosa should be postponed to limit the chance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients and healthcare professionals, as well as postponing elective procedures that can be safely delayed. They also recommend a proper and optimal use of personal protection elements (PPE), with appropriate doffing and elimination techniques5.
In response to the emerging challenges for the specialty,Vukkadala et al . suggest major changes in department activities, including reducing the number of residents on service, exclusion of residents in staff clinics and surgeries to reduce risk of exposure, and remote department meetings and resident education sessions6.
This article aims to show the implemented strategies in a Chilean Otolaryngology residency program to overcome the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic in our specialty.