ISP25: health crisis management training for public health residents in France, a pilot and feasibility study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV) []. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a global pandemic on 11th March 2020 after its initial detection in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China []. COVID-19 is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols, making it highly contagious []. Most infect individuals typically develop mild to moderate symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, and fatigue, while others present with less common symptoms including sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, and conjunctivitis []. Approximately 13.8% of infected persons develop severe disease, with about 6.1% requiring respiratory support []. The pandemic has alarmingly overwhelmed hospital capacities and healthcare resources globally, particularly in Africa and other regions with limited health infrastructure and resources. Although the development of vaccines and improved public awareness have led to a decrease in the disease severity and mortality, several African countries continue to report an increase in infection, partly due to misinformation, poor understanding of the disease, inconsistent public health practices, and limited implementation of preventive measures []. Pregnant women are particularly at high risk of contracting this disease as the immunological and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy increase susceptibility to respiratory pathogens and may worsen the clinical course of viral infections []. Therefore, a clear understanding of COVID-19, coupled with positive attitudes and adherence to preventive measures, is essential for safeguarding maternal and fetal health. Proper knowledge of the disease also enables clinicians to provide targeted counselling during antenatal care, clarify misconceptions, and reduce anxiety among pregnant women (Fig. ).