Vol 51, No 4 (2020)
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Published online: 2020-12-01

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Epidemiology and prevention strategies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric hematology and oncology centers in Poland

Jan Styczyński1, Walentyna Balwierz2, Jacek Wachowiak3, Krzysztof Kałwak4, Bernarda Kazanowska4, Wojciech Młynarski5, Bożenna Dembowska-Bagińska6, Michał Matysiak7, Maryna Krawczuk-Rybak8, Elżbieta Adamkiewicz-Drożyńska9, Jerzy Kowalczyk10, Anna Raciborska11, Tomasz Urasiński12, Jarosław Peregud-Pogorzelski13, Radosław Chaber14, Wanda Badowska15, Grażyna Karolczyk15, Agnieszka Mizia-Malarz16, Katarzyna Machnik17, Jolanta Goździk18, Mariusz Wysocki1, Tomasz Szczepański19
DOI: 10.2478/ahp-2020-0043
Acta Haematol Pol 2020;51(4):253-257.

Abstract

Introduction

Epidemiological analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in pediatric hematology and oncology (PHO) and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) centers in a Polish nationwide study, as well as analysis of the preventive strategies in these centers.

Methods

All of the 18 PHO/HCT centers participated in eight surveys and questionnaires conducted over the first 5 months of the SARS-CoV-2/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. Epidemiological data were collected at eight regular time points, and the strategy of preventive management was done once after 4 months of the pandemic.

Results

During this analyzed period, eight patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Polish PHO/HCT centers was 0.5%. After exclusion of HCT patients (with one patient being infected), the estimated incidence of SARSCoV-2 positivity was between 0.5 and 0.6%. In all but one case, the course of COVID-19 was asymptomatic or mild, and it was moderate in one case. None of them developed SARS or respiratory insufficiency, none of them required treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), and no patient died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. As of July 1, parents staying in the hospital together with their children were regularly tested for the virus in 13 centers. Asymptomatic healthcare personnel were regularly tested for the virus in seven centers.

Conclusions

The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PHO/HCT patients is lower than in Western Europe; however, these patients cannot be regarded as a low-risk group. The low COVID-19 incidence should be interpreted as a result of strictly and continuously implemented detailed preventive measures in the PHO/HCT wards and in hospitals.

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