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Objectives: We aim to study the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality of doctors and nurses hospitalized with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. All doctors and nurses positive on reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test of nasopharyngeal or/and oropharyngeal samples for COVID-19 who were admitted in this designated COVID hospital from April 2020 to January 2021 and with a definite outcome (death or discharge) till the end of January 2021 were included in this study. To explore the risk factors associated with mortality of health-care workers (HCWs), bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. Results: Out of 1048 HCWs, 846 (80.7%) were doctors and 202 (19.3%) were nurses. Majority (619, 59.15%) of the HCWs were young (18-30 years). Most (185, 91.6%) of the nurses were female, while majority (533, 63%) of the doctors were male. The 11 (1%) HCWs who died were all doctors, but the difference was not statistically significant. Total 121 (11.54%) HCWs had comorbidities, and hypertension 70 (6.7%) and diabetes 62 (5.9%) were most common. Age > 60 years (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] [confidence interval (CI)] = 36.01 [3.45-375.5]) and suffering from diabetes mellitus (AOR [CI] = 10.4 [1.82-59.51]) were found to be significant predictors for the death of HCWs after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion: The mortality rate due to COVID-19 in doctors and nurses was lower (1%) as compared to the general population as most of the HCWs were young and with a low prevalence of comorbidities. Age > 60 years and diabetes mellitus were risk factors for death;such HCWs should avoid contact with COVID-19 patients. Screening of HCWs for COVID-19 is important to reduce its transmission.
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Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the clinical presentation and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in health-care workers (HCWs) diagnosed with COVID-19 in a Dedicated COVID Hospital (DCH). Materials and Methods: It was a prospective cohort study of HCWs in a DCH. The new cases found in HCWs from December 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, were interviewed and followed up for 1 month. The study was part of an international multicenter study by the World Health Organization (WHO). The doctors, nurses, housekeeping, and other staff working in this DCH were considered as HCWs. WANTAI severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Ab ELISA provided by the WHO was used for qualitative testing antibody (IgM + IgG). Paired serology samples from cases were collected for serology testing - comprising one baseline serum sample taken during week 1 and another taken in the 6th week. Results: Out of the 1340 HCWs, 25 HCWs (including 15 doctors) developed COVID-19 in 60 days. Most (17, 68%) of the HCWs were from the age group of 21 to 30 years. All the HCWs reported receiving training in IPC. Most (21, 84%) of the HCWs reported following hand hygiene always, as recommended. Most (22, 88%) of the HCWs reported being using recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) always, as recommended. The duration of hospital stay was 10 & PLUSMN;3.6 days (mean & PLUSMN;standard deviation) and the range was 4-18 days. There was no significant difference between infection prevention and control practices of doctors and other HCWs. In our study, all the patients had mild disease and the antibody titer was positive in 7 (28%) patients in the 1st week of illness and in 20 (80%) patients in the 6th week of illness. The most common symptoms were respiratory symptoms (60%), sore throat (52%), fever (48%), cough (44%), and joint ache (20%). Two (8%) HCWs were asymptomatic. Conclusion: The incidence of COVID-19 among HCWs can be kept low by proper IPC measures such as availability of PPE and training of HCWs in IPC.
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Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for the cessation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA detection in a cohort of inpatients of laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. All COVID-19 patients positive on the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) test of nasopharyngeal samples who were admitted in this Dedicated COVID Hospital (DCH) from April to June 2020 were included in this study. The deceased patients were excluded.Cessation of Viral RNA Shedding (CVS) was considered to have been achieved on the date of the first negative SARS-CoV-2 RTPCR result out of the two consecutive negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR results on nasopharyngeal swabs taken 24 h apart. Results: Of the 4632 COVID-19 patients, 3307 (71.4%) patients achieved CVS. Patients had a median (IQR) time from positive to negative PCR of 16 (11-23) days. In multivariate cox regression analysis, age group 41 - 60 years (hazard ratio [HR], 0.76;95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.91), age > 60 years (HR [CI] = 0.63 [0.53-0.78]), female sex (HR [CI] = 1.08 [1.01-1.16]), cancer (HR [CI] = 1.87 [1.03-3.41]) were the independent risk factors for cessation of viral shedding. Conclusion: Patients older than 40 years, male patients were shedding viral RNA for more duration and can be considered for the isolation for a longer duration.
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Introduction: With the arrival of the monsoons, people living in coastal regions are at an increased risk of contracting water-borne and vector-borne illnesses like dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, hepatitis, typhoid, chikungunya, and acute gastroenteritis. With proper hygiene and sanitation practices, several monsoon-related illnesses may have been averted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To analyze the trend of monsoon-related diseases from January 2018 to December 2019 and compare the trends of these diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, that is, from January 2020 to December 2021. Material and Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the tertiary care center using secondary data of monsoon-related diseases available from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Results: The overall number of cases of monsoon-related illnesses was low in 2020 and 2021 compared to that in 2018 and 2019. Percentage change of diseases depicts that in the year 2020, all monsoon prevalent diseases were reported less compared to 2019, with the highest change being in dengue and acute febrile illness (AFI). In 2021, a majority of the disease incidence, except dengue and typhoid, had increased compared to that of 2020. Conclusion: There have been fewer incidences of monsoon-related illnesses as a result of efforts to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. This study emphasizes the significance of widespread sanitary practices and their value in the long-term decline of diseases associated with the monsoon season. © 2022 Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
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COVID-19 vaccines have been rolled out recently in several parts of the world. Little is known about the post-vaccination experience outside of clinical trial conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the adverse effects and infection rate of vaccinated people in a community scenario. It will help to educate the public, dispel misinformation and reduce vaccine hesitancy. Aim and Objectives: Assessing total beneficiaries of COVID-19 vaccination and finding among them COVID-19 infection and AEFI after vaccination. Subject and Methods: Cross sectional Study at COVID-19 Vaccination centre at DCH in Mumbai, since 1st February2021-31st July 2021, Data was collected by calling telephonically the registered beneficiaries in Vaccination Centre, data was collected and analysed in MS-excel sheet and SPSS using CHI-square test. Results: 49.68% of the beneficiaries were from the age group of 45-60 years followed by >60 years age group (34.70%). 97.08% beneficiaries were from Mumbai. 3593(43.59%) had taken both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine while 4650(56.41%) had taken only first dose of COVID -19 vaccine. 36(0.44%) had contracted COVID-19 infection after vaccination. 88.71% had no AEFI after taking vaccine. 1.65% had mild AEFI 9.63% had moderate AEFI. Conclusion: Very few had contracted COVID-19 infection after vaccination. Out of all AEFI maximum were mild to moderate. © 2022 Journal of Association of Physicians of India. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused bythe SARS-CoV-2 is affecting many women during pregnancy and inthe postpartum period worldwide. A peculiar characteristic ofCOVID-19 is the release of a large amount of inflammatory cytokines. Some biomarkers have been considered as tools to monitor theevaluation of COVID-19, namely CRP, LDH, D-dimer and ferritin.Currently the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio constitutes a new stronginflammatory marker for the detection of inflammation. Neutrophillymphocyte ratio has also been used as a predictor of complication ofpregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus,hyperemesis gravidarum, premature labour and ectopic pregnancy.Aims &Objectives: To study the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR)and ferritin levels in COVID-19 positive pregnancy and correlate itwith the severity of the disease.Materials &Methods: This is an observational study conducted inthe obstetrics ward of a tertiary care center. The inclusion criteriawere all the pregnant females admitted in the obstetrics ward with adiagnosis of COVID-19 by RT PCR in the period of 3 months. Theexclusion criteria were patients with non reactive rapid test results.Clinical and demographic data were extracted from electronic medical records.Result: In our study, 32 out of 70 patients showed ferritin valuesabove 400 ng/ml. Lymphocytopenia, increased neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and increased ferritin had all been linked with diseaseseverity or mortality. Decreased lymphocyte value was associatedwith an increased likelihood of receiving oxygen supplementationduring hospitalization. These markers show abnormal values inobstetrics patients and reflects the course of the disease. It suggestedthat additional care should be reserved to patients presenting withdecreased value of these blood cells. Pregnancy is a physiologicanemic state and high levels of ferritin, especially in third trimesterare associated with negative outcomes like preterm delivery andgestational diabetes mellitus.Conclusions: Both neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and ferritin levels canact as independent markers in assessing the disease severity ofCOVID-19 in obstetrics patients.
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OBJECTIVES: To study the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers (HCWs) exposed to COVID-19 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a nested case-control study of health care workers(HCWs) in a Dedicated COVID Hospital(DCH). The data collection was done from Dec 2020 to Feb 2021. The study was part of an international multicenter study by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 2 The Doctors, nurses, housekeeping staff, clerks, and other staff working in this DCH were considered as HCWs. HCWs working in this DCH with confirmed COVID-19 were recruited as cases and other HCWs working in this DCH in the same Ward/ICU/office without infection were recruited as controls (incidence density sampling). Three controls were taken per case. The questions were in the Likert scale. RESULTS: There were 25 cases and their 75 controls. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with respect to age, sex, occupation, education, and comorbidities and all controls were negative for antibodies at the time of the interview. Most (70%) of the HCWs were doctor by profession followed by nurses (19%). All HCWs were trained in IPC (infection Prevention and Control). Most (96%) HCWs reported that PPE (personal protective equipment) is available in sufficient quantity. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with respect to those having direct contact with the patient's materials, surroundings, and following hand hygiene. CONCLUSION: Adequate availability of PPE, IPC training of HCWs are important for preventing COVID-19 but do not completely reduce risk among HCWs.
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Objectives: To study the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers (HCWs) exposed to COVID-19 patients. Material and Methods: This was a nested case-control study of health care workers(HCWs) in a Dedicated COVID Hospital(DCH). The data collection was done from Dec 2020 to Feb 2021. The study was part of an international multicenter study by the World Health Organisation (WHO).2 The Doctors, nurses, housekeeping staff, clerks, and other staff working in this DCH were considered as HCWs. HCWs working in this DCH with confirmed COVID-19 were recruited as cases and other HCWs working in this DCH in the same Ward/ICU/office without infection were recruited as controls (incidence density sampling). Three controls were taken per case. The questions were in the Likert scale. Results: There were 25 cases and their 75 controls. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with respect to age, sex, occupation, education, and comorbidities and all controls were negative for antibodies at the time of the interview. Most (70%) of the HCWs were doctor by profession followed by nurses (19%). All HCWs were trained in IPC (infection Prevention and Control). Most (96%) HCWs reported that PPE (personal protective equipment) is available in sufficient quantity. There was no significant difference between cases and controls with respect to those having direct contact with the patient's materials, surroundings, and following hand hygiene. Conclusion: Adequate availability of PPE, IPC training of HCWs are important for preventing COVID-19 but do not completely reduce risk among HCWs. © 2021 Journal of Association of Physicians of India. All rights reserved.