WhatsApp as a humanized communication tool during SARS-CoV-2 monitoring

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universities studied safe ways to return to activities, which pointed out that the effective biosecurity measures were the use of masks, social distancing, personal hygiene, and monitoring programs by testing and isolation of contaminated individuals. Not only monitoring and testing itself but also the entire community orientation process is essential for the successful mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The aim of this study was the development of communication tools for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 by testing a Brazilian University community, during the gradual return to face-to-face activities, from May 2021 to December 2022. The tests were performed by RTqPCR, in a laboratory with biosafety level 2, using saliva samples self-collected, on dry cotton, in a dry collection tube, wrapped in a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, transported in an envelope with individual epidemiological and symptoms data, and maintained at room temperature until analysis. The results were delivered by a health professional by email and WhatsApp which was a humanized channel constituted to receive doubts and anxieties, as well as contact and guidance regarding the biosafety protocols adopted at the university, and health issues in general, which subsidized the monitoring by providing a rich and detailed collection of data.