Brazil is a country of continental dimensions. Culture, climate, economy and many other characteristics differ from region to region, as does the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In some parts of the country, the number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 is already stabilizing and decreasing, but in the South, where the Pequeno Príncipe Hospital is located, the pandemic is on an upward curve and this directly impacts the institution. While the first ten cases of COVID-19 arrived at the Hospital throughout 52 days (between April and May), the last ten arrived in just 11 days (between June 30 and July 10), showing the acceleration of the infection curve.

In addition to the increase in the number of cases, two hospitals in Curitiba – one public and one private – deactivated their ICUs and pediatric wings to prioritize adult care, since this is the population that has been suffering the highest incidence of coronavirus infection, requiring especially the ICUs.

“Aware of its strategic role in pediatrics, we reached a cooperation agreement with the Municipal Health Department and we are absorbing all patients from Hospital de Clínicas. This means that we are going to serve patients from the various specialties who were under treatment there and also the eventual cases of COVID-19,” explains the executive director of Pequeno Príncipe, Ety Cristina Forte Carneiro. According to the technical director of the Hospital, Donizetti Dimer Giamberardino Filho, “at the present moment, Pequeno Príncipe has the capacity to meet the demand of patients from COVID-19 and other specialties”.

This is one of the subjects of the 9^th edition of Pequeno Príncipe News – Special edition COVID-19, that also presents a report about one of the humanization initiatives focused in the internal public of Pequeno Príncipe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has made an important warning about the mental health crisis that the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) may cause worldwide. Aware of and aligned with the institutional guideline for valuing its employees, the Hospital has structured a robust mental healthcare program for its teams.

Through this initiative, daily listening sessions are being carried out in all departments of the institution, in addition to psychological assistance to the teams, especially those professionals who are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. “We made an institutional diagnosis to understand the main difficulties, concerns and doubts, so that we can think about how to act and support,” explains the psychologist of Pequeno Príncipe, Bruno Jardini Mäder.

COVID-19 Report
At last, the Pequeno Príncipe News presents a report about the patient care offered to boys and girls with suspected of COVID-19. Since March 4 until July 17, the Hospital investigated 306 patients with suspect of the disease and 38 cases have been confirmed. Of these, on July 17, eight remained hospitalized, receiving all necessary care, ten were in isolation at home, 18 were recovered and, unfortunately, two patients died.

Click here and read the full-length articles in the 9^th edition of Pequeno Príncipe News – Special edition COVID-19.