Epidemiological approach in a long-term care facility for the elderly with antecedent of COVID-19 outbreak

Authors

  • María Fernanda Aguirre Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Andrea Paula Silva Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • María Jimena Marro Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Lucía Amalia López Miranda Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Gabriel Antonio Amezqueta Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Verónica Elena Poncet Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Ramiro Martín Dana Smith Smith Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Silvina Lavayén Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Claudio Marcelo Zotta Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • María Eugenia de San Martín Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Hernán Salaya Unidad de Gestión Local XI del Programa de Atención Médica Integral (PAMI), Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Irene Pagano Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Osvaldo Cesar Uez Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología “Dr. Juan H. Jara”, Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Keywords:

Coronavirus Infections; Disease Outbreaks; Health Services for the Aged; Argentina.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19), elderly people in long-term care facilities and their health workers constitute a vulnerable subpopulation with a high risk of hospitalization and death. The objective is to describe  the epidemiological approach carried out in a long-term care facility for older adults under active surveillance, in the Mar del  Plata-Batán urban area, on December 2020. METHODS: The approach strategy combined the indication to isolate suspected  cases, perform RT-PCR and detection of IgG antibodies. RESULTS: 4 detectable results were obtained by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2  corresponding to health workers; only one had a history of RT-PCR detection during the initial outbreak that occurred 95 days  previously; results in residents were undetectable. There were 40 cases with IgG type antibodies (63.5%); 12 (30%) had no  history of detection by RT-PCR in any of the outbreaks. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that having had a first outbreak episode  at the facility conferred immunity on people who had no clinical signs of the disease, possibly preventing the second outbreak  from spreading among residents.  

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Published

29-03-2021

How to Cite

Aguirre, M. F. ., Silva, A. P. ., Marro, M. J. ., López Miranda, L. A., Amezqueta, G. A. ., Poncet, V. E. ., … Uez, O. C. . (2021). Epidemiological approach in a long-term care facility for the elderly with antecedent of COVID-19 outbreak. Revista Argentina De Salud Pública, 13, e35. Retrieved from https://rasp.msal.gov.ar/index.php/rasp/article/view/552

Issue

Section

Health Interventions