National UK programme of community health workers for COVID-19 response

Similar protocols are already in place and used by CHWs in diverse settings—eg, as part of the Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illness.5 Additionally, home visits for vulnerable people would allow CHWs to assess whether individuals have adequate supplies of food and medicines for long-term conditions, are aware of basic hygiene precautions, and whether they have mental health problems. Marco Di Lauro/Stringer/Getty Images Entry criteria could include occupations that provide basic training in first aid or assessing medical emergencies, such as flight attendants, or registration on a health professional training programme. CHWs in Brazil have been established for many years, are well integrated into their communities, and provide a wide range of health and social care support activities to each of the 100–150 households that they are responsible for. [...]in Brazil, additional roles for preventing the spread of and supporting those infected with COVID-19 or in self-isolation could be integrated into the work of CHWs.