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The impact of Covid around the globe is imperative all around the world. Though the pandemic had glaring effects on the market, sectors have been showing a reviving trend post-covid. This is possible with the right mapping and affective forecasting. The majorly hit sector was the hotel industry, and situations showed a positive surge with potential sales incrementing post covid. Hospitality industry in particular is much prone to act post covid after easing of travel restrictions and social distancing. Sustainability seems to be the difficult arena with many hotels having low profile financial conditions. The aim of the research is to understand the potential indicators in hotels in India which are expected to boost the sales and sustain the sector. The authors have used a combination of literature review to identify the potential indicators through past studies. Further the qualitative opinion polls, focus group and interviews were conducted to evaluate the indicators and their comparative ranking in the industry. Data were gathered through hotel employees representing various domains like Front office, F & B, Marketing, and promotions department of the premium leisure hotel properties. Further the analysis has been employed for classifying the potential indicators with their relative impact, examining their cause-and-effect phenomena. The study has been validated by expert opinion poll supporting the hypothesis tested. Mapping such inclusive indicators;the hotel industry may be well prepared for the coming future. The most significant indicators have been identified and the mutual interdependence between the potential indicators have been seen through the analysis. will be highly beneficial for the hotel industry to have strong strategic preparation post covid. It also shows that estimating the critical elements at the right time can lead to vowing revenues, saving the industry. The study has practical application for promoting the hotel industry. © 2022 IEEE.
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Nowadays, every individual is familiar with the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused great turmoil in everyone's life. Also, they are aware that there is no medicine or drug to cure COVID immediately, and people are at the risk of losing their lives. Lack of vaccines or delay in vaccine production for mass results social distancing being the only measure to tackle this pandemic. As a result, social distancing has proven to be a very reliable and efficient way to diminish the growth of this disease;the reason why lockdowns are imposed, and people are asked to keep some distance from each other, for their safety as there will be minimal physical contact. Machine learning and artificial intelligence come into the picture in every solution to a generic problem the community faces nowadays like in medical, supply chain management, face detection, etc. Using the power of AI algorithms, the paper aims to develop a robust system to monitor and analyze social distance measurement protocols at public places during the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of CCTV feed and check whether they abide by the safety protocols or not by measuring the distance between them. The proposed approach is implemented to enumerate the number of violations at a popular public place to prevent massive crowds at particular periods. The proposed method is suitable to construct a scrutiny system at a public place to alert people and eschew mass gatherings that can be concluded using achieved results. The paper also has an analysis of the performance of different models of R-CNN, Fast R-CNN, and YOLO. YOLO architectures are validated based on object detection and object tracking rate in real time. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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Energy market instability and price increases are specifically being caused by the conflict in Ukraine, with headwinds in most other economies more than offsetting growth in energy exporters. In many emerging market and developing countries, the invasion of Ukraine has also contributed to a sharp rise in the price of agricultural commodities, causing food insecurity and extreme poverty (EMDEs). In order to enhance development, strengthen macroeconomic frameworks, lessen financial vulnerabilities, help disadvantaged population groups, and lessen the long-term effects of recent global shocks, EMDE authorities and the international community must take decisive and comprehensive policy action.
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Prognostic markers are the biomarkers used to measure the disease progression and patient outcome regardless of treatment in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to analyze laboratory parameters as prognostic markers for the early identification of disease severity. In this study, 165 patients attending Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital with COVID-19 were enrolled and divided into severe and non-severe groups. The demographic data, underlying co-morbidities, and laboratory findings were analyzed and compared between severe and non-severe cases. The correlation between the disease criticality and laboratory parameters was analyzed. Cut-off values of parameters for severe patients were speculated through the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection had significantly higher absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), ferritin, positive carbohydrate reactive protein (CRP), glucose, urea, creatinine, and aspartate aminotransferase, while lower absolute lymphocyte count, absolute eosinophil count (AEC), and red blood cell count in comparison to non-severe infection. ROC analysis gave a cut-off value (sensitivity, specificity) of age, AEC, NLR, PLR, and ferritin as 47.5 years (70.2, 64.7%), 335 cells/mm(3) (74, 67%) 3.3 (68.4, 63.7%), 129 (77.2, 51%), and 241 ng/mL (74.0%, 65.0%) respectively. Risk factor analysis showed higher age, low AEC, high ferritin, and positive CRP as independent risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 infection. Hematological and inflammatory markers, including novel NLR and PLR, should be assessed to aid clinicians in the early identification of severe cases, prioritization of cases, and effective management to decrease the mortality of COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Prognostic markers used to measure the disease progression and patient outcome regardless of treatment in COVID-19. We aim to analyze and evaluate the prognostic markers for early identification of severe patients. Materials and Methods: During a 3-month period (November 2020 to January 2021), a total of 165 patients attending Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and divided into non-severe and severe groups. The demographic data, underlying co-morbidities and laboratory findings were analyzed. Correlation, Regression analysis and ROC curve was performed to determine the risk factors and cut-off values for critically ill patients were speculated. Results: Disease severity was significantly associated with age (r = 0.359, p<0.001), RBC (r = -0.163, p = 0.037), AEC (r = -0.300, p<0.001), ALC (r = -0.239, p<0.001), ANC (r = 0.228, p<0.001), NLR (r = 0.336, p<0.001), PLR (r = 0.286, p<0.001), glucose (r = 0.155, p = 0.046), urea (r = 0.282, p<0.001), creatinine (r = 0.194, p = 0.012), AST (r = 0.169, p = 0.030), ferritin (r = 0.359, p<0.001) and CRP. Whereas Increasing age (AOR = 3.611), positive CRP (AOR = 2.930), high ferritin (AOR = 2.754), decreased AEC (AOR = 3.415) was found to be independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity. Similarly, ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) curve analysis showed age (AUC = 0.724), NLR (AUC = 0.710), PLR (AUC = 0.678), ferritin (AUC = 0.735), AEC (AUC = 0.661) can be used to monitor the disease severity. Conclusion: Our study revealed severe COVID-19 is associated with increased markers of innate immune response such as neutrophil count, NLR, CRP and serum ferritin;decreased markers of adaptive immune response such as lymphocyte and increased markers of major organ damage including AST, urea, and creatinine compared to COVID-19.
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Indians by and large have foreign university degrees in the pretext of world-class higher education, no Indian university has been one among the top 100 world-class university so far due to lack of teachers in sufficient numbers, academically gifted and successful students, excellence in research and publication, quality teaching at an international standard, high level of funding, and well-equipped teachers. India's good camaraderie with majority of the nations in the world and its helpful nature makes it a perfect ally for other countries. [...]the analysis of Covid-19 outbreak in Indian region is closely watched and monitored by the World and there is a need of comprehensive analytical studies based on different strategies taken by Indian administrators from time to time. India's lockdown period has been impacted by two major events in the recent days which were related to the mass exodus of laborers and workers from one state to other states and conduction of a religious events which led to spike in the number of cases in various states of India.
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BACKGROUND: There are limited in-depth analyses of COVID-19 differential impacts, especially in resource-limited settings such as South Africa (SA). OBJECTIVES: To explore context-specific sociodemographic heterogeneities in order to understand the differential impacts of COVID-19. METHODS: Descriptive epidemiological COVID-19 hospitalisation and mortality data were drawn from daily hospital surveillance data, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) update reports (6 March 2020 - 24 January 2021) and the Eastern Cape Daily Epidemiological Report (as of 24 March 2021). We examined hospitalisations and mortality by sociodemographics (age using 10-year age bands, sex and race) using absolute numbers, proportions and ratios. The data are presented using tables received from the NICD, and charts were created to show trends and patterns. Mortality rates (per 100 000 population) were calculated using population estimates as a denominator for standardisation. Associations were determined through relative risks (RRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values <0.001. RESULTS: Black African females had a significantly higher rate of hospitalisation (8.7% (95% CI 8.5 - 8.9)) compared with coloureds, Indians and whites (6.7% (95% CI 6.0 - 7.4), 6.3% (95% CI 5.5 - 7.2) and 4% (95% CI 3.5 - 4.5), respectively). Similarly, black African females had the highest hospitalisation rates at a younger age category of 30 - 39 years (16.1%) compared with other race groups. Whites were hospitalised at older ages than other races, with a median age of 63 years. Black Africans were hospitalised at younger ages than other race groups, with a median age of 52 years. Whites were significantly more likely to die at older ages compared with black Africans (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.06 - 1.08) or coloureds (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.33 - 1.54); a similar pattern was found between Indians and whites (RR 1.59; 95% CI 1.47 - 1.73). Women died at older ages than men, although they were admitted to hospital at younger ages. Among black Africans and coloureds, females (50.9 deaths per 100 000 and 37 per 100 000, respectively) had a higher COVID-19 death rate than males (41.2 per 100 000 and 41.5 per 100 000, respectively). However, among Indians and whites, males had higher rates of deaths than females. The ratio of deaths to hospitalisations by race and gender increased with increasing age. In each age group, this ratio was highest among black Africans and lowest among whites. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed the heterogeneous nature of COVID-19 impacts in SA. Existing socioeconomic inequalities appear to shape COVID-19 impacts, with a disproportionate effect on black Africans and marginalised and low socioeconomic groups. These differential impacts call for considered attention to mitigating the health disparities among black Africans.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Health Status Disparities , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Racial Groups/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/mortality , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Socioeconomic Factors , South Africa/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Those experiencing homelessness in Canada are impacted inequitably by COVID-19 due to their increased exposure, vulnerability of environment and medical comorbidities, and their lack of access to preventive care and treatment in the context of the pandemic. In shelter environments one is unable to effectively physically distance, maintain hygiene, obtain a test, or isolate. As a result, unique strategies are required for this population to protect them and those who serve them. Recommendations are provided to reduce or prevent further negative consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic for people experiencing homelessness. These recommendations were informed by a systematic review of the literature, as well as a jurisdictional scan. Where evidence did not exist, expert consensus from key providers and those experiencing homelessness throughout Canada was included. These recommendations recognize the need for short-term interventions to mitigate the immediate risk to this community, including coordination of response, appropriate precautions and protective equipment, reducing congestion, cohorting, testing, case and contact management strategies, dealing with outbreaks, isolation centres, and immunization. Longer-term recommendations are also provided with a view to ending homelessness by addressing the root causes of homelessness and by the provision of adequate subsidized and supportive housing through a Housing First strategy. It is imperative that meaningful changes take place now in how we serve those experiencing homelessness and how we mitigate specific vulnerabilities. These recommendations call for intersectoral, collaborative engagement to work for solutions targeted towards protecting the most vulnerable within our community through both immediate actions and long-term planning to eliminate homelessness.
ABSTRACT
Background: In Yaoundé, Cameroon, coverage of HIV prevention and treatment services has increased with an estimated 50% of people living with HIV accessing antiretroviral treatment (ART) in 2018. The HIV burden remains high among key populations, despite increases in condom use and ART among men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and their clients. The COVID-19 pandemic may temporarily alter sexual behaviours and disrupt HIV services, including ART initiation and condom distribution (with reduced outreach). We explored the potential effects of these changes on the HIV epidemic among key populations in Yaoundé. Methods: We used a deterministic mathematical model of HIV transmission calibrated to local demographic, behavioural, and HIV epidemiology data. We estimated the relative difference in cumulative new HIV infections and HIVrelated deaths from 04/2020 to 03/2021 (median, 95% uncertainty interval), under scenarios assuming individual temporary 6-month reductions in HIV prevention/treatment services or changes in sexual risk behaviour in all or some risk groups compared to a base-case scenario assuming no COVID-19-related disruptions. Results: A 6-month cessation of ART initiation alongside a 50% reduction of viral suppression among ART-users for 6-month could increase annual HIV infections by 21% (18-25%) and HIV-related deaths by 9% (7-10%): half of these impacts are attributable to ART discontinuations among key populations. A 50% reduction in condom use across all partnerships would lead to 23% (15-31%) more infections overall and 36% (20-55%) more infections among key populations (Figure). Reducing condom use among key populations (initially >80% for FSW, ∼65% for MSM) to the levels of use among lower-risk populations (∼30%), would result in 14% (9-23%) more infections overall, and 20% (8-36%), 44% (26-97%), and 29% (15-56%) more infections among MSM, FSW and their clients, respectively. A 75% reduction in paid sex due to closure of sex work-associated venues would have little effect on reducing infections overall: 4% (1-8%) if currently high condom-use and ART levels among FSW are maintained. Conclusion: Temporary disruptions in condom use and ART services, especially among key populations, may have a substantial impact on HIV in Yaoundé. Ensuring access to condoms among FSW and MSM despite reduced outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic should be a priority to minimise its potential impact.
ABSTRACT
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (US) have reported similar or fewer sexual partners and reduced access to HIV testing and care. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use has declined. We estimated the potential impact of COVID-19 on HIV incidence and HIV-related mortality among US MSM. Methods: We used a calibrated HIV transmission model for MSM in Baltimore, Maryland, and available data on COVID-19-related disruptions (from national online surveys of US MSM and from a Boston clinic with extensive PrEP experience) to predict impacts of data-driven reductions in sexual partners (0% or 25% - based on different surveys), condom use (5%), HIV testing (20%), viral suppression (VS;10%), PrEP initiations (72%), PrEP use (9%) and ART initiations (50%), exploring different disruption durations. We estimated the median (95% credible interval) relative change in cumulative new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths among MSM over 1 and 5 years from the start of COVID- 19-related disruptions, compared with a scenario without COVID-19-related disruptions. Results: A 6-month 25% reduction in sexual partners among Baltimore MSM, without HIV service changes, could reduce new HIV infections by 12 2%(11 7,12 8%) and 3 0%(2 6,3 4%) over 1 and 5 years, respectively. In the absence of changes in sexual behaviour, the 6-month data-driven disruptions to condom use, testing, VS, PrEP initiations, PrEP use and ART initiations combined were predicted to increase new HIV infections by 10 5%(5 8,16 5%) over 1 year, and by 3 5%(2 1,5 4%) over 5 years. A 25% reduction in partnerships offsets the negative impact of these combined service disruptions on new HIV infections (overall reduction 3 9%(-1 0,7 4%) and 0 0%(-1 4,0 9%) over 1 and 5 years, respectively), but not on HIV-related deaths (corresponding increases 11 0%(6 2,17 7%), 2 6%(1 5,4 3%)). Of the different service disruptions, a 6-month 10% reduction in VS was predicted to have the greatest impact, increasing new infections by 6 4%(2 6,11 9%) and HIV-related deaths by 9 5%(5 2,15 9%) over 1 year, without changes in sexual behaviour. The predicted impacts of reductions in partnerships or VS doubled if they lasted 12 months or if disruptions were twice as large. Conclusion: Maintaining access to ART and adherence support is of the utmost importance to minimise excess HIV-related mortality due to COVID-19 restrictions in the US, even if accompanied by reductions in sexual partnerships.