Telemedicine and molecular Sars-CoV-2 early detection to face the COVID-19 pandemic

José Cherem (Department of Medicine, Biomedical Research Center (NUPEB), Federal University of Lavras, Lavras | Federal University of Lavras |)
Victor Satler Pylro (Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Bioinformatics, Biology Department, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG | Federal University of Lavras |)
Katia Poles (Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras | Federal University of Lavras |)
Richardson Costa Carvalho (Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais | Federal University of Lavras |)
Ewerton Carvalho (Zetta, Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais | Federal University of Lavras |)
Juliana Anacleto dos Santos (Department of Medicine, Federal University of Lavras | Federal University of Lavras |)
Joziana Muniz de Paiva Barçante (Department of Medicine, Biomedical Research Center (NUPEB), Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil | Federal University of Lavras |)

Journal of Sustainability Perspectives
Vol 2, No 3 (2022)

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a series of challenges to the academic community. Social distancing measures imposed the interruption of face-to-face activities besides the implementation of remote work and online classes. For safe and gradual return, the monitoring of individuals, quick detection of infection, contact tracing, and isolation of those infected became essential. In this sense, we developed strategies to face the pandemic at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) - Brazil. A Telemedicine Program (TeleCovid) and the assemblage of a laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis (LabCovid) were essential measures for monitoring, preventing, and controlling outbreaks at the university. TeleCovid works with a team of students who guide and answer questions regarding COVID-19 and, when necessary, make the referral for online consultation with medical professionals. In the suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the doctor refers the patient for testing at LabCovid. LabCovid performs the sample collection using nasal swabs, followed by processing samples by the RT-qPCR method. We have placed all positive patients in isolation and tested their contacts. This approach meant that positive cases were identified early, thus avoiding outbreaks in different environments in face-to-face activities.Keyword: Covid-19; university, RT-qPCR