Platelets inventory changes and supply situation during COVID-19 epidemic / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on platelets supply management and its countermeasures. 【Methods】 Relevant data on platelets collection, supply, daily inventory and adjustment were collected through the blood information management system of our blood center after the outbreak of the epidemic in Xi′an (from December 9, 2021 to February 2, 2022), and then compared with the data during the corresponding period of last year (from December 9, 2020 to February 2, 2021). 【Results】 In this study, in the first half month of the epidemic, the collection and supply of platelets were slightly higher than the same period of the previous year. After the first-level response to the epidemic was initiated, the collection and issuing of platelets decreased significantly compared with the same period of the previous year. Half a month after the home isolation had been gradually lifted, the collection and issuing of platelets increased significantly as compared with the home isolation period. Otherwise, the collection and issuing of platelets had been increased as compared with the same period of the previous year. 【Conclusion】 After the outbreak of the epidemic, the timely adjustment of platelet collection strategy as well as the launch of emergency plan for platelets collection and supply during the first-level response to the epidemic effectively ensured the supply of clinical platelets in Xi′an during the period of home isolation.

Prevención y medidas de protección frente a la infección por SARS-COV-2 / Prevention and protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has become a global health problem causing severe human respiratory infections. Countries have had to establish strategies to avoid the collapse of health systems. There has been reports describing that the human-to-human transmission is through droplet spread and contact routes as through hands and contaminated surfaces. Social distancing, personal protective equipment, hand washing often, and surface disinfection play a fundamental role in disease control. Some procedures and situations aerosolize the SARS-CoV-2, so protection measures must be extreme. Hard work is underway to develop and implement a vaccine that would provide immunity to the population, but it will take some time. Preventive measures must incorporate good epidemiological monitoring that guarantees adequate control of cases and contacts in order to isolate them from the rest of the population, whether hospitalized or at home.

La pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 se ha convertido en un problema global de salud provocando infecciones respiratorias severas en humanos. Los países han tenido que establecer estrategias para evitar el colapso de los sistemas sanitarios. Se ha descrito una transmisión de persona a persona facilitada por propagación de gotitas, manos o superficies contaminadas. El distanciamiento físico, los elementos de protección personal, el lavado de manos frecuente y la desinfección de superficies cumplen un rol fundamental en el control de la enfermedad. Algunos procedimientos y situaciones aerosolizan el SARS-CoV-2 por lo que se deben extremar las medidas de protección. Se trabaja arduamente para lograr una vacuna que otorgue inmunidad a la población, pero su desarrollo va a tomar algún tiempo. Las medidas preventivas deben incorporar una buena vigilancia epidemiológica que garantice el control adecuado de los casos y contactos, con el objeto de aislarlos del resto de la población, ya sea hospitalizados o en sus domicilios.

Challenges of schistosomiasis control in China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, so as to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on the national schistosomiasis control program in China. Methods On April 2020, 3 counties (districts) were randomly selected from each of the 12 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces (municipality, autonomous region), and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in these counties (districts) from January to March 2020. Then, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemics on the national schistosomiasis control program of China was evaluated using a comparative analysis approach. Results Among the 36 counties (cities, districts) sampled from 12 provinces (municipality, autonomous region), 66.67% were at a high and medium risk of COVID-19 epidemics. The implementation of schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human schistosomiasis examination and treatment, snail control with chemical treatment and health education reduced by 44.26% to 91.56% as compared to 2019 during the same time period, and the schistosomiasis control program was more affected by COVID-19 in transmission-controlled provinces. The gross funds invested into the schistosomiasis control program reduced by 23.39% in relative to the expected, while the total expenditure increased by 41.22%. In addition, all 36 surveyed counties (districts) considered that the COVID-19 epidemic had a short-term impact on the schistosomiasis control program, with the most predominant impact on schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human resources and monitoring of endemic situation of schistosomiasis. Conclusions The COVID-19 epidemics affect the routine schistosomiasis control program across the endemic-foci of China. Policy and financial support should be strengthened to ensure the completion of the schistosomiasis control program.