All interventions that have the potential to aerosolize aerodigestive secretions should be avoided or used only when mandatory. A large number of patients do not have overt signs and symptoms (fever/respiratory), yet pose a real risk to surgeons (who should know this fact and must therefore apply respiratory protective strategies for all patients they encounter). Health workers represent between 3.8% and 20% of the infected population some 15% will develop severe complaints and among them, many will lose their lives.

There is an important risk of contagion for anesthetists, dentists, head and neck surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists, and otolaryngologists. The most susceptible populations, needing mechanical ventilation, are the elderly and people with associated comorbidities. It was declared by the WHO as a public health emergency. The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious zoonosis produced by SARS-CoV-2 that is spread human-to-human by respiratory secretions.

Wipe professional 2020.17