. 2020 Apr 24;8(7):e879–e880. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30210-2

Table.

Recommendations for health-care packages in community and primary health care to differentiate febrile diseases

	Short term: in times of COVID-19	Long term: planning beyond COVID-19
Community health care	Improved guidance on infection control and pragmatic PPE use and selection in facilities Additional dengue fever testing alongside malaria for further differential information Reiterated training for severity signs such as respiratory rate as per ICCMReiterated training around temperature taking and updating equipment if needed Reiterated community behavioural change communication for personal hygiene and protective measures for broader infectious diseases Digital guidelines and contact tracing apps to support data collectionPackage to account for non-communicable diseases and increased risk for COVID-19⁵	Digital guidelines (ICCM based) to support adherence, with a link to surveillance Tools for improved tuberculosis triagePackage to account for rise in non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiac issuesAdditional dengue fever testing alongside malaria for further differential informationReiterated training for severity signs such as respiratory rate as per ICCMImproved community referrals and better linkages with public health systems
Primary health care	Improved guidance on infection control and pragmatic PPE use and selection in facilities Additional dengue fever testing alongside malaria for additional differential informationReiterated training for severity signs such as respiratory rate as per IMCIReiterated training around temperature taking and updating equipment if needed Digital guidelines and contact tracing apps to support data collectionPackage to account for non-communicable diseases and increased risk for COVID-19⁵	Digital guidelines (IMCI based) to support adherence, with a link to surveillance testing to guide antibiotic usePackage for pathogens that respond to doxycycline (eg, leptospirosis or typhus)Additional rapid diagnostic tests for common respiratory pathogens (eg, group A streptococcus)Package to account for rise in non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiac issues Lifestyle guidance coupled with non-communicable disease and malnutrition management Training and tools for basic biochemical and haematological measurements

COVID-19=coronavirus disease 2019. PPE=personal protective equipment. ICCM=Integrated Community Case Management. IMCI=Integrated Management of Childhood Illness.