Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to healthcare resources being diverted or stretched, especially during periods of lock-down in affected countries. Disruptions to normal services have resulted in reduced or delayed provision of endoscopy in many countries, with consequent impacts on diagnosis or management of digestive diseases and upon endoscopy training. This review article aims to highlight key aspects of the impact of the pandemic upon endoscopy services, with a focus upon endoscopy in children.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 is a member of the Coronaviridae family: this family of viruses includes a number of virulent strains known to infect animals and humans [1]
The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, known as coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, was first noted in 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020 [2]
Summary
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 is a member of the Coronaviridae family: this family of viruses includes a number of virulent strains known to infect animals and humans [1]. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, known as coronavirus disease (COVID)-19, was first noted in 2019. Soon after the WHO declaration in March 2020, numerous health authorities across different countries (for e.g., the US Surgeon General, the American College of Surgeons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Chief Medical Officers across Canada) advised medical practitioners to suspend all elective medical procedures [3]. This decision affected surgeons, gastroenterologists and other disciplines [4]. Endoscopy centers have undergone significant changes based on international and local guidelines and have taken significant and unprecedented steps to avoid transmission of the virus [4]
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