Covid-19 outbreak management in a deployed setting

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of our society, and international missions are not an exception. With this study we intended to share our experience with an outbreak of COVID-19 in an area of operations. Material and methods: A prospective observational study was performed from 11/23/2021 - 02/22/2022. The variables studied were: sex, age, days since the last vaccine dose, type of vaccine in the first and second doses (Moderna, Pfizer or Astrazeneca), in-theatre deployment with one or two doses, covid-19 prior to deployment, covid-19 during deployment, symptomatology (asymptomatic, anosmia, cough, fever, malaise, headache, runny nose) and volunteering for vaccination in area of operations. Results: A total of 188 (32.1% of the contingent) were positive during the period studied, with 183 close contacts. Of the contingent, 23 (3.9%) were women and 572 (96.1%) men, with a mean age of 32 years. 64.4% were asymptomatic. The symptoms presented were: 10.9% anosmia, 35.9% cough, 9.4% runny nose, 32.8% headache, 57.8% malaise and 20.3% fever. They were all mild cases. Of the positive cases, 90% of those who were vaccinated with a single dose were asymptomatic at diagnosis versus 64% of those vaccinated with two doses (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our experience with a COVID-19 outbreak during a mission reflects the importance of prevention and control measures for the correct development of the mission. Use of masks is essential, as well as trying to maintain social distancing in the bases. The use of rapid antigen test for diagnosis and screening is a useful and affordable tool. Lax quarantine protocols allow the correct development of the operations without an increase in the risk of infection. (AU)