key: cord-0047431-p2lstke8 authors: Tartari, Ermira; Hopman, Joost; Allegranzi, Benedetta; Gao, Bin; Widmer, Andreas; Cheng, Vincent Chi-Chung; Wong, Shuk Ching; Marimuthu, Kalisvar; Ogunsola, Folasade; Voss, Andreas title: Perceived Challenges of COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Preparedness: A Multinational Survey date: 2020-07-11 journal: J Glob Antimicrob Resist DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.07.002 sha: 20f60884cd15c3f0d9712307d7e5b123cc5e15f8 doc_id: 47431 cord_uid: p2lstke8 nan This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. 3 infections and outbreaks affecting healthcare workers (HCWs) who are at the forefront of these crises, illustrating the importance of being prepared. [1] We assessed the perceptions of infection preventionists on the current global IPC preparedness measures for COVID-19. Between February 26, 2020, and March 20, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional self-administered web-based survey study to gain a rapid insight into the preparedness of healthcare facilities and investigate current global practices and perceptions among IPC professionals concerning the prevention and control of COVID-19. All IPC professionals working in healthcare facilities preparing for the detection, investigation and management of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients were invited to participate. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the survey data. Differences between regions and income groups were tested using Pearson's Chi-Square test for categorical variables. believed that guidelines were based on maximum security rather than on evidencebased recommendations; thus, uncertainties regarding the transmission modes of COVID-19 continue to generate controversy. [2, 3] The belief that opinions expressed by the media influenced the choices made for national/local guidelines or the preparedness plans for COVID-19 was confirmed by 41·5% (105/252; 95% CI, 35·4-47·5) of respondents. More than half (161/253; 63·6%; 95% CI, 57·7-69·5) also believed that national/local guidelines were based predominantly on maximum security, rather than on evidence-based recommendations. HICs were more likely than LICs to report sufficient preparedness (51/71; 71·8%; 95% CI, 61·3-82·2 vs 14/45; 31%; 95% CI, 17·5-44·6; P <·01). Participants reported that national or local COVID-19 guidelines recommended mainly the use of N95/FFP2 masks (120/267; 44·9%), followed by surgical masks (77/267; 28·8%) or a combination of the two in specific situations, respectively (39/267; 14·6%), and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) (21/267; 7·9%) ( The COVID-19 global pandemic has shown the importance of building more resilient healthcare systems with effective IPC as key to avoid or mitigate outbreaks impact. Health organizations should jointly evaluate the available evidence and develop a uniform policy on the appropriate PPE to be used. Strengthening of coordinated international efforts is urgent to address the challenges related to the major PPE shortage in healthcare facilities, particularly the lack of resources in low-income settings, and to improve reliable communication through the media. National health authorities to ramp up the implementation of IPC measures and focus on long-term preparedness and readiness for future pandemics, likely requiring government funds rather than reliance on healthcare institutions. None to declare. Involving Human Subjects Act (NL2020-6262). None declared Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia in Wuhan, China A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China Uncertainties about the transmission routes of 2019 novel coronavirus A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f