Atenção primária à saúde em tempos de pandemia

The world is experiencing something totally new and uncertain: the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). This pandemic directly impacts the life of the society and, in many cases, has caused people to change habits and routines, forcing them to live with uncertainties. Thinking about it, questions arise in the field of health management of how to not only act with curative care essential at this time, but also act in the prevention and education of the population in the face of the disease. Thus, this manuscript seeks to discuss how Primary Health Care – PHC, through the Family Health Strategy – ESF, can act in the fight against COVID-19. From the reflections presented in this manuscript, it can be concluded that PHC has a fundamental role in the health care network and cannot be apart during the pandemic. However, the rules of prevention and the provision of personal protective equipment for all employees must be observed, a situation that, for some authors, tends to be an exception in poorer places with low quality of health care. If the conduct necessary to mitigate the risk of infection to the members of the ESF team is not observed, the functioning of the Basic Health Unit – UBS may present more risk than assistance. It is also necessary to rethink the role of the FHS whose performance in health is complex and demands trained professionals. In addition to specific training in relation to acting in pandemics, it is necessary to promote specialization in family health for all members of the higher education team.