The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a public health crisis and major economic impact, with millions of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. An important aspect of controlling the spread of the virus is testing individuals for COVID-19. Currently, the gold standard is the association of  RT-qPCR with the Nasopharyngeal Swab (Ns), which is uncomfortable and requires specialized personnel for sample collection. Mass testing, unprecedented in human history, leads to the search for innovations and facilities in the methodology, but which maintains diagnostic security, even in the face of new variants of the virus. This study aimed to evaluate a less invasive alternative method, collecting samples from the oral mucosa with a swab (Os). For comparison, the same patients were tested using biological material collected through Os and Ns. Samples were processed and analyzed by RTq-PCR. Results showed 100% concordance between Ns and Os samples from elderly patients, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in saliva samples up to 14 days after the onset of symptoms in 31.25% of hospitalized patients. Our data and conclusion provide an important base for future studies of standardization and validation of the procedure described here. Using a more comfortable method could increase population adherence to testing and contribute to controlling the transmission of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a health system crisis, deaths and socioeconomic hardship. In order to minimize the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the municipality of Lavras, a partnership was developed between the Lavras City Hall and the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA). The present study aimed to describe the main prevention measures proposed in Lavras and to evaluate the community's perception of the management model towards COVID-19. A public online questionnaire, with 20 multiple-choice questions, about the measures to confront covid was submitted to the Google Forms platform from April 22nd to April 30th, 2020. The data regarding the strategies carried out to deal with COVID-19 was obtained from the published municipal ordinances. During the eight days that the questionnaire was applied, a total of 8,874 respondents from Lavras were obtained. Among these respondents, 31.64% (2,808) were men, 68.15% (6,047) were women, and 0.21% (19) declared "another option". When the participants were asked whether they are respecting the social distance measures, 7,452 (84.1%) of them answered "yes."Also, a total of 57.4% of the participants reported that the social distancing measures compromised their family income. However, despite the impact of this economic compromise on these families, 93.82% of the respondents believe that the measures applied are important. When analyzing the questionnaire responses, it was noticeable that despite residents suffering negative economic consequences, there was great popular approval of preventive measures, such as social distancing and the use of masks. In addition, it was possible to notice the population's trust in the measures recommended by professionals at UFLA and the city hall, highlighting the importance of establishing contact between authorities and the population during decision making.

Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM), also known as creeping eruption or ground itch, is a parasitic infection caused by larvae of the Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum species, which usually infect dogs and cats. CLM is considered a neglected disease that affects populations in developing countries located in tropical regions such as Brazil, India, and the Caribbean. Although the infection is more prevalent in areas with low economic and social development, sports activities on sand courts or beaches have led to infections among an economically privileged audience, including international travelers. Considering the current importance of CLM, this work describes an outbreak of the disease among residents of a high-end residential condominium located in the municipality of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the epidemiological investigation, five individuals with CLM were identified, and environmental risk factors for sand contamination were discovered. Preventive measures and controls for new cases were advised, as well as health education initiatives aimed at guiding the residents. The findings highlight the importance of CLM as a public health issue, even among populations with high socioeconomic status, and the need for increased awareness and control measures to prevent further outbreaks. This study adds to the growing body of evidence on the epidemiology of CLM and underscores the need for continued research to develop effective prevention and control strategies for neglected parasitic diseases.

INTRODUÇÃO: A Síndrome Pós-Covid constitui novo desafio para os profissionais de saúde. É complicação decorrente da infecção por Sars-CoV-2, considerada condição inflamatória difusa e multissistêmica.  OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão integrativa sobre a prática da reabilitação física em idosos, no contexto do Pós-Covid, atualizando os profissionais da saúde quanto às particularidades dessa população. MÉTODO: Foram realizadas buscas em bases da área de saúde (MEDLINE, PEBMED) nos portais Periódicos CAPES e Google Acadêmico, e fontes de literatura adicional (OMS, CREFITO-4). Foram utilizados os descritores "post covid", "rehabilitation", "elderly", "age", "guidline" e “physiotherapy”, com operadores booleanos “and" e “or". Utilizou-se o critério de seleção de estudos que apresentaram peculiaridades no Pós-Covid em idosos. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados onze artigos nas bases e fontes de literatura adicional, sendo incluídos cinco artigos que atenderam ao critério de seleção. A população idosa apresentou maior fragilidade e vulnerabilidade, sarcopenia, dinapenia e risco de trombose, com maior mortalidade e fragilidade, assim como desnutrição e déficit protéico. Os candidatos à fisioterapia foram aqueles que apresentaram Covid grave, porém as sequelas podem ocorrer também após as formas mais leves da doença. Os estudos demonstraram maior risco de delírio na fase aguda e mortalidade associada à aspiração na internação em UTI; alterações de memória e dificuldade de comunicação (por presbiacusia ou uso da máscara). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que há um déficit de estudos na área de Gerontologia para a  Síndrome Pós-Covid fazendo-se necessários aprimoramentos neste campo, em função das peculiaridades encontradas nessa população.