Correlación entre síndrome coronario agudo y COVID-19 en el Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández

Introducción: las infecciones agudas por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) provocaron una pandemia global desde que aparecieran los primeros casos en Wuhan (China) en diciembre de 2019. Objetivo: determinar la correlación entre la infección por COVID-19 y algunas variables clínicas en la aparición del síndrome coronario agudo. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en 85 pacientes que ingresaron en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Emergentes del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, con diagnóstico de infección por COVID-19, en el período entre julio y septiembre de 2021. Durante su evolución clínica, 16 de ellos tuvieron un síndrome coronario agudo. Se aplicó el test chi cuadrado y significación estadística (p < 0,05). Resultados: el total de pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo durante la evolución de la infección por COVID-19, representó el 18,82 %. En este grupo predominaron personas de piel blanca y sexo femenino, para un 51,31 % (p < 0,02). El síndrome coronario agudo apareció después de 10 días de evolución de la infección por COVID-19, asociado a trastornos de la oxigenación. El 62,5 % de los pacientes fueron tratados con máscara con reservorio. La mayoría de los pacientes fue transferida viva a las unidades de cuidados progresivos. Conclusiones: se observó asociación estadística significativa entre féminas de raza blanca y la aparición del síndrome coronario agudo en el curso de la infección por COVID-19, en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Emergentes del hospital matancero.

Introduction: acute infections by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) caused a global pandemic since the first cases appeared in Wuhan (China) in December 2019. Objective: to determine the correlation between COVID-19 infection and some clinical variables at the onset of acute coronary syndrome. Materials and methods: a retrospective descriptive study was carried out in 85 patients who were admitted in the Emergent Intensive Care Unit of the Clinical Surgical University Hospital Comandante Faustino Perez Hernandez, with diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, in the period from July to September 2021. During their clinical evolution, 16 of them had acute coronary syndrome. The Chi-square test and statistical significance (p < 0.05) were applied. Results: the total of patients with acute coronary syndrome during the evolution of the COVID-19 infection represented 18.82%. White-skinned and female people predominated in this group, for 51.31% (p < 0.02). Acute coronary syndrome appeared after 10 days of the COVID-19 infection evolution, associated to oxygenation disorders. 62.5% of the patients were treated with reservoir masks. Most of the patients were transferred alive to progressive care units. Conclusions: a significant statistic association was observed between white women and the onset of acute coronary syndrome in the course of COVID-19 infection, in the Emergent Intensive Care Unit of Matanzas hospital.

Cross-sectional study on the use of masks among occupational groups with high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To investigate the wearing of masks and the knowledge of masks among high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission. Methods: From May 14 to 17, 2022, a convenient sampling method was used to conduct an online survey among 963 workers in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission in Beijing. The behaviors of individual use and wearing masks, the distribution and supervision of the unit, the knowledge of personal mask protection and the subjective feelings of wearing masks were analyzed. The χ(2) test and logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of the correct selection of masks. Results: The majority of the workers in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission were male (86.0%, 828/963), age concentration in 18-44 years old (68.2%, 657/963), and the majority of them had college or bachelor degrees (49.4%, 476/963). 79.4%(765/963) of the workers chose the right type of masks, female, 45-59 years old and high school education or above were the risk factors for correct selection of masks (P <0.05). Workers had good behaviors such as wearing/removing masks, but only 10.5% (101/963) could correctly rank the protective effect of different masks. 98.4% (948/963) of the workers believed that their work units had provided masks to their employees, and 99.1% (954/963) and 98.2%(946/963) of them had organized training and supervision on the use of masks, respectively. 47.4%(456/963) of the workers were uncomfortable while wearing masks. Conclusion: The overall selection and use of masks among occupational groups in high-risk positions for overseas import and pollution transmission in China need to be further standardized. It is necessary to strengthen supervision and inspection on the use of masks among occupational groups, and take improvement measures to improve the comfort of wearing masks.

Association of acute COVID-19 with 24 hours-pulse wave velocity in cameroonian workers

Introduction. COVID-19appears to have a vascular tropism responsible for diffuse vasculitis-like cell damage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of Sars-Cov-2 infection on arterial stiffness.Material and methods. This was a cross-sectional analytical case-controlstudy with 1:1 matching (1 case to 1 control) over a six-month period from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 at the medical-social centerof the autonomous port of Douala. We measured the pulse wave velocity (PWV) in two groups of patients (group 1: COVID-19and group 2: non-COVID-19) using a MOBIL-O-GRAPH 24h PWA MonitorTM. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Result. A total of 122 patients (61 COVID-19and 61 non-covid) were included in this study, among which 68 (55.7%) male. The mean age was 41±11 years. PWV as well as POV adjusted for age and mean BP were similar in both groups. The mean 24-hour, diurnal and nocturnal PWV were slightly higher in COVID-19patients than in controls by 0.1 m/s (p=0.67), 0.2m/s (p=0.37) and 0.2m/s (p=0.25) respectively. COVID-19infection was not significantly associated with PWV (p=0.082).Conclusion. PWV were slightly higher in COVID-19patients and increased arterial stiffness was not significantly associated with COVID-19status in the acute phase of infection.

Diagnóstico Errôneo de Angiossarcoma Cardíaco na Era COVID-19 / Misdiagnosis of a Cardiac Angiosarcoma During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Resumo Os últimos meses de 2019 foram marcados pelo surgimento de uma nova pandemia, denominada "COVID-19". Desde então, essa infecção e suas complicações têm sido a prioridade de profissionais de saúde, com muitos sintomas atribuídos às suas apresentações precoces e tardias. Até o momento, outras doenças, mesmo em situações fatais, têm sido negligenciadas ou diagnosticadas incorretamente devido à atribuição dos sintomas do paciente à presença da infecção por COVID-19. Apresentamos aqui um caso de angiossarcoma cardíaco, em um menino que, cerca de 2 meses antes, havia sido infectado com COVID-19. Dado o histórico de infecção, a abordagem inicial foi o manejo da miopericardite pós-COVID-19. No entanto, o quadro do paciente piorou, exigindo reavaliação por multimodalidades com maior precisão. Por fim, o paciente foi diagnosticado com um tumor cardíaco. Este artigo procura enfatizar a importância da atenção a outras doenças e condições fatais na era COVID-19, com ênfase em evitar diagnósticos incorretos de outras doenças.

Abstract The final months of 2019 saw the emergence of a new pandemic termed "COVID-19". Since then, this infection and its complications have been the priority of healthcare providers, with many symptoms attributed to its early and late presentations. Thus far, other diseases, even fatal situations, have been overlooked or misdiagnosed due to the attribution of patient symptoms to the presence of COVID-19 infection. We herein present a case of cardiac angiosarcoma in a young boy who had previously become infected with COVID-19 about two months earlier. Given the history of infection, the initial approach was post-COVID-19 myopericarditis management. However, the patient's condition worsened, necessitating reevaluation via multimodalities with higher precision. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed with a cardiac tumor. This article seeks to underscore the significance of taking heed of other diseases and fatal conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic with an emphasis on avoiding misdiagnosing other diseases.

COVID-19 infection prevention preparedness, practices and case management in the primary health care units in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 as pandemic declared by WHO on March 11, 2020 and first case detected in Ethiopia on March 13/2020. The COVID-19 caused a global crisis, including millions of lives lost, public health systems in shock and economic and social disruption. Strategies depend on how an existing health system is organized. Even though public health emergency operation centers of the Ethiopia switched to emergency response, there is no national evidence about infection prevention and control. Therefore, this project aimed to assess the level of infection prevention and control and management of COVID- 19 in Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: The cross-sectional study conducted at four regions and one city (Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Sidama Region, and Dire Dawa). Being with zonal health departments and woredas health offices, primary health care units were selected. The data were collected electronically through Kobocollect software from November 08-28/2021. Descriptive analysis like frequency and percentage was conducted by SPSS software version 25 and the results were presented by tables, figures and narration. RESULTS: Data were collected from 16 hospitals, 92 health centers, and 344 health posts. All hospitals have designated COVID-19 focal person. There were significant number of woredas and PHCUs who didn't have IPC guidelines and protocols. About 11 woredas had no any type of diagnostic tests for COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that there were significant gaps on Infection prevention and control practice, shortage of personal protective equipment, isolation and specimen transportation problem, lack of call centers. We recommend concerned bodies to fill the identified gaps.

Determinants of COVID-19 infection prevention practices among employees of a medical center in NCR, Philippines

Background@#The COVID-19 pandemic became a severe public health threat to the Philippines, overwhelming the health system and its healthcare workers. As infections spread globally, it became imperative to understand the infection prevention practices (e.g., face mask-wearing, handwashing, social distancing) to better understand the pandemic and its effects on the healthcare workforce.@*Objective@#The study aims to describe the sociodemographic and medical profile and the COVID-19 infection prevention practices, and the correlation between both among employees of a medical center in the National Capital Region (NCR), Philippines,@*Methods@#The analytic cross-sectional study utilized an online survey administered to employees of a medical center in NCR, Philippines. A total of 112 responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze respondents’ sociodemographic and medical characteristics and summarize their COVID-19 infection prevention practices. Spearman’s rank correlation and Pearson’s chi-square tests were performed to determine the association of the respondents’ sociodemographic and medical profiles with their corresponding infection prevention practices.@*Results@#Majority of respondents were between ages 30-50 (52.68%), female (71.43%), with college (83.93%) as their highest educational attainment, single (70.54%), and without comorbidities (66.07%). 76.5% (72/94) of respondents living in multi-person households lived with familial ties, and 59.6% (56/94) of respondents living in a multi-person household lived with at least one member considered a high-risk individual (i.e., a senior citizen with comorbidities). The respondents practiced face mask-wearing (4.92) and respiratory etiquette (4.90) the most, whereas reduction of unnecessary outings (3.81), not drinking alcohol (3.81), and sleeping at least 7 hours per day (3.42) were least practiced. Results showed that only age and having chronic kidney disease correlated with infection prevention practices with a p-value of <0.05, showing that people with chronic kidney disease and those aged 30-50 were more likely to engage in infection prevention practices.@*Conclusion@#The study findings provide insight into sociodemographic and medical factors that may contribute to adherence to infection prevention practices among the hospital-based workforce. Recommendations for further research were discussed.

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus exacerbated by COVID-19–induced inflammation is the risk factor for COVID-19–associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A matched pair case–control study

Purpose: Amidst the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, India experienced an epidemic of COVID-19–associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and elucidate the risk factors for developing COVID-19–associated ROCM, comparing the risk factors among COVID-19 patients with and without ROCM. Methods: This case–control study included all COVID-19–associated ROCM patients treated at our hospital from May 1 to July 30, 2021. Controls included age- and sex-matched COVID-19 patients without ROCM, who were treated during the same time (exact matching, in 1:2 ratio). Matched pair analysis using conditional logistic regression was performed to examine the association of various risk factors with the development of ROCM in COVID-19 patients. Results: The study included 69 patients with COVID-19–associated ROCM and 138 age- and gender-matched controls. Epidemiologically, COVID-19–associated ROCM predominantly affected males (59/69, 85%), in their early 50s (mean 52 years), with 48% (33/69) of patients being from medical resource-constrained settings. On multivariate conditional logistic regression, elevated serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.78), blood glucose (OR = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.003–1.013), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.17) were associated with increased odds of developing COVID-19–associated ROCM. Patients with undetected diabetes mellitus with increasing HbA1c (OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.30–9.02) and blood glucose (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.005–1.03) (P = 0.02) had a higher probability of developing COVID-19–associated ROCM than patients with established DM. Conclusion: Uncontrolled DM evidenced by elevated HbA1c and blood glucose levels, exacerbated by COVID-19–induced proinflammatory state indicated by elevated CRP, is the principal independent risk factor for COVID-19–associated ROCM. Middle-aged males with undetected DM, from a resource-constraint setting, are particularly at risk.

A cross-sectional study of quality of sleep in medical healthcare workers from a tertiary healthcare center during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Intractable COVID-19 outbreak has placed extraordinary demands on health-care systems worldwide. Increased workload, inadequate personal equipment, nosocomial transmission, and the need to make ethically difficult decisions on the rationing of care may have dramatic effects on their physical and mental well-being. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are, therefore, especially vulnerable to mental health problems. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the quality of sleep in medical HCWs during COVID-19 pandemic and to assess its relation with demographic variables. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using anonymized and self-reported questionnaire survey which includes sociodemographic characteristics and Pitsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by participant on their own smartphone. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 208 respondents who served in COVID-19 pandemic, 137 were having poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). It has been observed that 20–40 years age group was more affected than 40–60 years group. Nurses were more affected than doctors and technicians. Conclusion: During COVID-19 pandemic, medical healthcare workers had poor sleep quality due to stress of workload and social pressure. This can lead to physical or psychological health problems in the future. Further interventions should be administrated for them, aiming to maintain their health.

To Determine The Role Of Imaging Findings On Computed Tomography (CT) And Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Predictive Of Acute Invasive Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) In COVID 19 Patients

Background:There is a sudden rise of fungal infection with coronavirus disease. This is attributed to the immunomodulation by the disease and the drugs used, diabetes mellitus, steroid use, oxygen inhalation using dirty water, use of zinc and iron supplements, etc. Early diagnosis and prompt medical and surgical intervention is the mainstay of treatment. This can greatly reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. The objective of the retrospective study is to describe the imaging findings of acute invasive rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in 58 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, from SVP hospital with proven mucormycosis. Special emphasis is placed on the signal patterns of sinonasal mucosa, the earliest and most common findings.Material And Methods:We report the sinonasal, orbital and neuroimaging findings in patients of suspected acute invasive ROCM. A total of 58 patient’s scans were analyzed. The study comprises cases performed at two different imaging modalities and a tertiary care hospital from March 23,2021 to September 1, 2021. All the patients had positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and were hospitalized with clinically severe disease as per the guideline s laid down during the second wave in India. They were on intravenous steroids and oxygen. Thirty patients (52%) had diabetes mellitus. All of them presented with headache, facialand/or orbital pain,periorbital puffiness with decreased vision, during the course of treatment. CT or MRI examination of the paranasal sinuses, orbits and brain was done, with intravenous contrast wherever possible. The presence of mucormycosis was confirmed by histological diagnosis in all of them following clinico-radiological diagnosis of acute invasive ROCM. Result:Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 58 patients showed most commonly involved sinuse s as maxillary and ethmoid sinuses together. Sino-nasal mucosal thickening was the most common finding. Periantral infiltration preceded orbital, cerebral complications, with grossly intact bones. Sinus wall erosions were seen in only patients and maxillary alveolar arch erosionwere frequent findings. CT showed hypodense soft tissue thickening or fat stranding as the predominant finding in involved areas, while MRI showed T2 iso-to hyperintense mucosal thickening with T2 hypointense component as the main finding. Conclusion:MRI is better at demonstrating early mucosal abnormalities, turbinate necrosis, devitalized tissues, orbital apex involvement and intra-cerebral extension. Imaging findings of inflammatory tissue infiltration adjacent to the paranasal sinuses in premaxillary, retroantral fat, facial muscles, pterygopalatine fossa, temporal, infratemporal fossa and extraconal orbital-fat along with typical patterns of sinonasal mucosal thickening should raise the suspicion of acute invasive fungal etiology given the short duration of history and immunocompromised status. High incidence of periantral and orbital extension of the disease is suggestive of acute invasive form of fungal infection. Also the rapidly progressive inflammatory changes without much bone involvement should suggest the suspicion of ROCM. Bony, cerebral and vascular involvements are relatively late complications.

Observations on 73 Vaccine breakthrough COVID-19 infected patients and its individualized homeopathic treatment

Since the initiation of vaccine rollout, breakthrough COVID-19 infections have been reported. While conventional therapy is the accepted mode of treatment, there has been little recognition of the role played by the alternative therapies like homeopathy. The purposes of this study were to identify the clinico-symptomatic profile of the vaccine breakthrough covid-19 infections and to assess the response of individualized homoeopathic treatment in these breakthrough cases. A retrospective data analysis of patients treated with homoeopathic medicines who confirmed the breakthrough infection criteria: positive infection ≥14 days after completion of both the recommended doses of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine was conducted. IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 was used for data analysis with a p-value below 0.05 defined as significant. WHO Clinical Progression Scale and Outcome in Relation to Impact on Daily Living score were used as outcome measures. In total 73 cases were reported to be vaccine breakthrough infections. The median recovery time reported in the data set was 9 ± 2 days. While 5 patients dropped out, 68 (93.15%) patients responded positively to homeopathic treatment, and 55 (75.34%) recovered completely with normalized serological markers/ nasal swabs/ HRCT Chest. About 29 (39.72%) of these presented with mild clinical manifestations, 26 (35.61%) moderate, 17 (23.28%) severe and 1 (1.36%) was critical. 10 homeopathic remedies were prescribed to these 73 patients. Majority of the patients attained an ORIDL score of 4. Maximum patients reported a WHO clinical Progression score of 3. Statistical analysis showed a significant response to homeopathic treatment in the study group. Vaccine breakthrough cases occur in a fraction of vaccinated people. Despite the limited number of study subjects, homoeopathy showed some promising results in the present setup. The response rate was highest in the moderate and severe cases which suggest the importance of consideration of alternative medicine in the current pandemic. Further exploratory research studies and comparative clinical trials may be encouraged.

Hearing loss and tinnitus among pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection: our experience

Background: Hearing impairment and tinnitus are common otological manifestations found in the outpatient Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Hearing loss and tinnitus have been documented among coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, these clinical manifestations were rarely investigated among pediatric patients with COVID-19 infections. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of hearing impairment and tinnitus among children with COVID-19 infection at a teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective and descriptive study where 192 children with COVID-19 infections were evaluated for hearing loss and tinnitus. There were 44 (22.91%) children with COVID-19 infections presenting with hearing loss and tinnitus. All of the children were confirmed as COVID-19 infection with the help of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal swab. Detailed history taking and clinical examination of the ear were done for the assessment of hearing loss and tinnitus and its outcome was analyzed. Results: Out of 44 children, 20 (45.45%) were presented with tinnitus, 16 (36.36%) were presented with hearing loss, and 8 (18.18%) were presented with both hearing loss and tinnitus. Out of 44 pediatric patients with hearing loss and/or tinnitus, 26 (59.09%) were males and 18 (40.90%) were females with a male child to female child ratio of 1.44:1. The mean age of the participants was 9.16 years with an age range from 5 to 18 years. The sporadic type of tinnitus is more common than any other type. Conclusion: This study showed that the presence of subjective neurological features like hearing loss and tinnitus can be found in children with COVID-19 infection. More studies are required to confirm the exact pathophysiology mechanism underlying this subjective symptom in pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection.

Narrative Review of Systematic Reviews on the Roles of Vitamin D in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

@#The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) virus has caused a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency may have a significant impact on respiratory viral infections. This narrative review of systematic reviews describes the roles of vitamin D on COVID- 19 infection prognosis and whether vitamin D supplementation has any role in improving clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. A literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted in October 2021. Only systematic reviews published in the English language from January 2020 through October 2021 were included. Seven systematic reviews were identified. Five showed that low vitamin D levels increased the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 infections, admission into intensive care and increased mortality for severe vitamin D deficient individuals. Two reviewed the benefits of vitamin D supplementation and found an association between supplementation and a reduction in ICU admissions and mortality from COVID-19 infections. All of the systematic reviews identified a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 individuals, with a positive correlation between vitamin D deficiency and disease severity. Maintaining appropriate levels of vitamin D through oral supplementation or sunlight exposure may be beneficial to improve public resilience during this pandemic.

Awareness and Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures among OralHealth Care Workers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Some studies have been conducted worldwide onthe preparedness of dentists and even dental students for infectionprevention and control with regard to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemicbut very few studies have been done among other Oral Health CareWorkers (OHCWs). The purpose of this study was to assess theknowledge and practices of dental health care workers in Nigeria oninfection prevention and control with regards to COVID-19.METHODS: This was a descriptive study on the knowledge andpractices regarding infection control protocols and procedures withregard to the COVID-19 pandemic among dental personnel in Nigeria.A validated self-administered questionnaire was utilised for datacollection. Bivariate analysis was done with a Chi-squared test todetermine the association between the participants age, gender,profession and place of practice with knowledge and practicesregarding COVID 19 infection. Statistical significance in associationswas inferred at P-value < 0.05.RESULTS: The majority of the OHCWs (77.4%) had good knowledgeabout infection prevention and control, and regulations regardingCOVID-19, but most of them (58.5%) displayed poor practices withregard to infection prevention and control regulations related toCOVID-19. Male respondents (68.8%), those aged between 55­64(83.3%) years and Dental therapists (71.4%) had a higher proportionof those with good practices with the male gender and profession(Dental Therapist) being significantly associated with good practices.(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Our study identified a high rate of knowledge butlow compliance with infection prevention and control guidelinesregarding COVID-19. Better compliance with recommended infectioncontrol and waste management practices for all OHCWs and continuingeducation programs promoting infection control awareness are vitalto improving the practices of these OHCWs

Vaccination coverage and safety in Cameroon: descriptive assessment of COVID-19 infection in vaccinated individuals

Objective. Toassess national vaccination coverage, adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and evaluate the vaccination status in COVID infected patients. Methods. Sociodemographic data on vaccination and clinical characteristics of Covid-19 cases were extracted from the national COVID-19databases of the Public Health Emergency Center and the Expanded Program on Immunization. Result. A total number of 808229 out of 27 869965 (2.9%) were fully immunized on 13 February 2022 in the Cameroon. The most requested vaccine was Janssen with 48.24% of total doses administered. Women were less vaccinated than men and with a remarkable disparity in northern regions of the country. The Adamawa region presented the best performance 11.3% of adults fully immunized. Despite vaccinal coverage still insufficient among health care worker, they were the most vaccinated among priority groups (43.4%). Only 8% COVID-19 cases were vaccinated and 0.22 % of all vaccinated still developed COVID-19. Tolerability assessment identified 1.83 non-serious AEFI and 0.1 serious AEFI per 1000 doses administered. Only 7% of vaccinated individual still developed laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Conclusion. COVID-19vaccination coverage is still low in Cameroon compared to the target of 60%. Although data completeness is still an issue, the protection against severe forms of the disease provided by the vaccines currently used is quite satisfactory. There is however a need to intensify all strategies to make people adhere to vaccination in order to protectthem against severe form of the disease.

Clinical profile and course on follow-up of newborns of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers

Objective@#This study aims to determine the clinical profile and course on follow-up of newborns delivered to a SARS-CoV-2 positive mother from two private tertiary hospitals. @*Methodology@#This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A chart review of all neonates delivered to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers was conducted. Subsequent interview was done to determine their clinical course and neurologic status at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-month-old. Data collected was presented as frequencies, percentages, or proportions. @*Results@#Out of the 67 newborns born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, three neonates tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All three were delivered to mothers with mild symptoms, were full term, with good APGAR score and appropriate for gestational age. One was eventually intubated and managed as COVID-19 confirmed critical. Among the SARS-CoV-2 negative newborns, majority had an unremarkable neonatal outcome. Thirty-six neonates were available for follow-up: 1 expired due to aspiration pneumonia at 2 months of age, 4 were readmitted for pneumonia, UTI, acute gastroenteritis, and cow’s milk allergy. Twenty-one had infection at one point prior to this study follow-up but were all mild not requiring admission. Two had abnormal head size, while 2 had developmental delay, these 4 infants with neurological findings on follow-up were all RT-PCR negative at birth. @*Conclusion@#Maternal COVID-19 infection does not necessarily result to a neonatal infection. For those neonate swith mild symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 causality could not be established. On follow-up, there were a few who developed significant problems that have long-term implications in the overall growth and development of the child.

Decreasing for walking steps with collegiate students during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan –A survey based on smartphone application– / 体力科学

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread worldwide. In Japan, From April 16 to May 25, 2020, a state of emergency was declared and people were “strongly requested to refrain from going out unnecessarily and thoroughly reduce contact with others.” As a result, the number of steps of all generations was expected to be lower than usual due to the novel coronavirus disease pandemic. This study investigated the weather walking steps decrease in the collegiate student due to COVID-19. A total of 221 collegiate students used their smartphones to enter the average number of steps taken every month from January to May. The number of steps taken by all students was 4,988±2,345 steps in January, 5182±2,516 steps in February, 5,118±2,291 steps in March, 3,281±1,689 steps in April, and 2,834±1,676 steps in May. A comparison between sex groups showed that the number of steps in April and May was significantly different (p<0.05), which means that the steps of women group was lower than that of men. These results suggest that the number of steps taken by students decreased with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease.

Cuidados críticos en neumonía por virus SARS-CoV-2 durante el embarazo. Reporte de un caso / Critical care in SARS-CoV-2 virus pneumonia during pregnancy. Report a case

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: La pandemia mundial de SARS-CoV-2 también afecta a las embarazadas. Los casos más graves ameritan hospitalización y tratamiento en una sala de cuidados intensivos. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 30 años y embarazo con feto único, de 33 semanas, con antecedentes de fibromialgia, un aborto y miomatosis uterina. La paciente negó el contacto con personas sospechosas o infectadas por el virus SARS-CoV-2. El cuadro clínico se inició con infección de las vías respiratorias superiores que evolucionó a neumonía con prueba PCR positiva para COVID-19 a partir del exudado naso-faríngeo, que condicionó el síndrome de insuficiencia respiratoria aguda severa, tratada con asistencia mecánica ventilatoria durante16 días en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. En el trascurso de la hospitalización se complicó con neumotórax bilateral y urosepsis por Candida tropicalis. La paciente superó la enfermedad viral, las complicaciones de la ventilación y la infección urinaria oportunista.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic also affects pregnant women. The most severe cases require hospitalization and treatment in an intensive care unit. CLINICAL CASE: A 30-year-old woman with a 33-week singleton pregnancy and a history of fibromyalgia, one miscarriage and uterine myomatosis. The patient denied contact with persons suspected or infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. The clinical picture began with upper respiratory tract infection that progressed to pneumonia with positive PCR test for COVID-19 from nasopharyngeal exudate, which led to severe acute respiratory failure syndrome, treated with mechanical ventilation for 16 days in the Intensive Care Unit. During hospitalization, she was complicated with bilateral pneumothorax and urosepsis due to Candida tropicalis. The patient overcame the viral disease, ventilatory complications and the opportunistic urinary tract infection.

Covid-19 pandemic: chronicle of responses and experiences of the infection prevention and control committee at a tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria

Since the advent of 2019-Corona virus Disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria in February 2020, the number of confirmed cases has risen astronomically to over 61,307 cases within 8 months with more than 812 healthcare workers infected and some recorded deaths within their ranks. Infection prevention and control is a key component in ensuring safety of healthcare workers in the hospital as healthcare- associated infection is one of the most common complications of healthcare management. Unbridled transmission of infection can lead to shortage of healthcare personnel, reduced system efficiency, increased morbidity and mortality among patients and in some instances, total collapse of healthcare delivery services. The Infection Prevention and Control Committee is a recognised group by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention with their core programmes including drawing up activities, procedures and policies designed to achieve above-stated objectives before, during and after any disease outbreak, especially emerging and re-emerging ones such as the 2019 Coronavirus Disease. In this report, we highlight the roles played by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within and outside the hospital community and the lessons learned to date

Laboratory Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection: Current Issues and Challenges: An Indian Perspective

COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a public health emergency affecting morethan 215 countries worldwide. It originated from Wuhan district of China and in a very short span of time, it has spread rapidlycausing millions of deaths worldwide. India reported its first case on 30thJanuary 2020 and since then the numbers have been increasing exponentially every day. As of 9thAugust 2020, India had recorded 21, 09,631 confirmed cases and 43,379 deaths. Because of the complex dynamics involved in its infection and immunity, proper diagnosis is imperative in order to unravel this ongoing mystery. It has clearly told us the importance of establishing and strengthening a strong network of molecular virology laboratories in the country enabling us to strengthen the diagnostic arm which is the first step in disease control. The addition of serological tests has helped in surveillance and also to estimate the overall burden of disease.