The beginning of 2020 was marked by the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus, a new virus from the beta-coronavirus family, from Hubei, China. This virus is responsible for a global pandemia of pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although the infection appears to be less acute in the pediatric population, neonates tend to be more frequently affected. Several cases of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported to date, including one in an extremely premature neonate. Nevertheless, the clinical picture seems to be less critical and neonatal mortality associated with COVID-19 has not been reported to date. The transmission mode from mother to infant has not been clearly demonstrated so far. Breastfeeding is allowed in most countries. The aim of this article is to summarize the epidemiological context and current knowledge on COVID-19 in infants and neonates.

COVID-19, especially in its severe form, is associated with a coagulopathy responsible for an increased incidence of venous and arterial thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary microthrombosis. Biologically, it results in increased D-dimer levels, which is of diagnostic and prognostic relevance. Depending on its severity, the COVID-19 infection requires a treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) at preventive or semi-therapeutic doses. In case of proven or strongly suspected thrombosis, anticoagulation with LMWH at therapeutic doses is recommended.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had and still has a remarkable impact on general medicine in Belgium. From the day the first Belgian case was diagnosed on February 4, 2020 until the beginning of de-containment- three full months have passed during which general medicine needed to re- structure itself more effectively to be able to speak up with one voice, adapted itself by switching to telemedicine during the population’s confinement period, and constantly developed updated management procedures. In the first month, general practitioners (GPs) did not expect a pandemic of this magnitude to occur. In the second month, things accelerated and GPs’ offices closed their doors, with GPs applying themselves the procedures they helped convey to their patients over the phone. By the third month, while suspicious cases sharply dropped, procedures needed to be strengthened. The situation is more difficult in nursing homes. Within 3 months, relations with patients, colleagues, paramedics, and institutions were, there, entirely altered. In other countries as well, there has been a profound change that is likely to profoundly impact medical practices in the long term. On the eve of a new phase consisting of progressive de-containment, general medicine is now properly prepared to assume its role of an essential player in the fight against coronavirus in the wider community.

The region of Mons-Borinage and Center in the Province of Hainaut was one of the most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic in both the Walloon region and Belgium. While facing the constant flow of patients and threat of intensive care unit saturation in this part of the Hainaut Province, the various medical teams that were particularly involved in the care of these patients (intensive care, emergency care, department of general internal medicine and geriatrics) had to implement admission management strategies in collaboration with general practitioners, medical directors, and the ethics committees.