Pattern of chest computerized tomography scan findings in symptomatic RT-PCR positive Covid-19 patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Background: Chest Computerized Tomography (CT) features of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia are nonspecific, variable and sensitive in detecting early lung disease. Hence its usefulness in triaging in resource-limited regions. Objectives: To assess the pattern of chest CT scan findings of symptomatic COVID-19 patients confirmed by a positive RT-PCR in Ghana. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed chest CT images of 145 symptomatic RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients examined at the Radiology Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) from 8th April to 30th November 2020. Chi-Squared test was used to determine associations among variables. Statistical significance was specified at p≤0.05. Results: Males represent 73(50.3%). The mean age was 54.15±18.09 years. The age range was 5 months-90 years. Consolidation 88(60.7%), ground glass opacities (GGO) 78(53.8%) and crazy paving 43(29.7%) were the most predominant features. These features were most frequent in the elderly (≥65years). Posterobasal, peripheral and multilobe disease were found bilaterally. The most common comorbidities were hypertension 72(49.7%) and diabetes mellitus 42(29.2%) which had significant association with lobar involvement above 50%. Conclusion: The most predominant Chest CT scan features of COVID-19 pneumonia were GGO, consolidation with air bronchograms, crazy paving, and bilateral multilobe lung disease in peripheral and posterior basal distribution.

Glucovigilance in COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced clinical care in unprecedented ways. There is an urgent need to share best practice in providing diabetes care services in areas affected by COVID. This is a brief review for clinicians managing diabetes in low-income countries based on currently available data. The data is rapidly evolving; however, people with diabetes and its related comorbidities have increased risk for severe disease, and prolonged recovery and mortality. This review is also informed by data from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), caused by MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). These two viruses share similarities with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus with causes COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 was also known as 2019-nCOV. We discuss glucovigilance in COVID-19, the challenges and the opportunities. We put a spotlight on investigational new drugs for treatment of COVID medications and virtual care. Diabetologists and clinicians handling high-volume diabetes clinics are at increased risk for contracting COVID-19.