Transmission Routes Of COVID-19 Research Articles

Head and neck cancer therapy-related oral manifestation management in the COVID-19 pandemic: a critical review.

With the onset of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the dental treatment of patients at risk of infection has become quite challenging. In view of this, patients with head and neck cancer may present with oral complications due to anticancer therapy, making dental assistance necessary. Thus, the objective of the study was to review the literature and critically discuss important concerns about the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because dental professionals are in close contact with the main viral transmission routes, this study presents recommendations for management and protection during clinical dental care. The main characteristics and transmission routes of COVID-19 are also discussed. Dental professionals should control pain and the side effects of antineoplastic treatment and use preventive measures for infection control. During this pandemic, patients with head and neck cancer should not undergo elective procedures, even if they do not have symptoms or a history of COVID-19; therefore, in asymptomatic or painless cases, only preventive actions are recommended. In symptomatic or painful cases, precautions for safe interventional treatments must be implemented by following the hygiene measures recommended by health agencies and using personal protective equipment. During health crises, new protocols emerge for cancer treatment, and professionals must act with greater attention toward biosafety and updated knowledge. It is important to offer adequate individualized treatment based on the recommendations of preventative and interventional treatments so that patients can face this difficult period with optimized quality of life.

Importation and transmission routes of COVID-19 into Northern Cyprus: considerations and challenges

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that arises from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged from Wuhan, China, and has spread worldwide currently affecting more than 210 countries and territories. This study aims to report the first observed cases in Northern Cyprus, their importation and transmission routes, and the current challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak. The index case of COVID-19 in Northern Cyprus was identified as a 65-year-old German tourist on 9thMarch 2020, whereas the first local case was an individual who returned from a trip to England after which multiple transmissions of different origins occurred. Rapid containment measures were enacted to stop the spread of the disease. As of 25thApril 2020, 108 COVID-19 cases and four deaths have been observed in the country. Although the epidemiological curve is currently far from a peak, increased preparedness by forming epidemiological surveillance teams to investigate current and future outbreaks, and setting up reference laboratories and centers fully-equipped with next-gen-eration sequencing platforms in which molecular tests can be performed more rapidly and at a larger scale is imperative.