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.