Profiling severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and its relevance to otolaryngologic examinations during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Chan, Catherine P L; Chan, Jason Y K

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The WHO announced the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic in February 2020 with over 15 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally to date. Otolaryngologists are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 during this pandemic if there is inadequate and improper personal protective equipment provision, as we are dealing with diseases of the upper-aerodigestive tract and routinely engaged in aerosol-generating procedures. RECENT FINDINGS This article discusses the background and transmission route for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, its viral load and temporal profile as well as precaution guidelines in outpatient and operative setting in otorhinolaryngology. SUMMARY As it is evident that COVID-19 can be transmitted at presymptomatic or asymptomatic period of infections, it is essential to practice ear, nose, and throat surgery with high vigilance in a safe and up-to-standard protection level during the pandemic. This article provides a summary for guidelines and recommendations in otorhinolaryngology.