Probable Cases Evacuation-Body Top Jacket with Portable Hepa Filter

Introduction: In view of the latest covid-19 pandemic condition worldwide, it affects greatly on paramedical colleagues daily practice especially on the suspected or not yet confirmed case transfer or evacuation. Unlike those server deadly infectious diseases case which goanna to have strict isolation devices, and most patients condition are ambulatory or transfer for isolation purposes only. Objectives: To develop a head to abdomen enclosed well covered jacket for transfer purposes in order to reduce the chance of droplets and aerosols spread whilst patient transfer to strict isolation areas. Thus, patient should feel comfortable and acceptable during the process. Methods: Soft plastic core shell on back and with hard transparent front was built;and loosely tight seal on all sides via elastic wrapper. Besides, airs will be sucked through HEPA filter to eliminate any infectious droplets or aerosols leak out to open air and infect those paramedical colleagues who simply escort the case to major Hospitals or strict isolation facility. Results: Laboratory test conducted for its antimicrobial activities against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (ATCC No. 9027), Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli ATCC No. 8739);Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 6538P);ISO 22196: 2011 Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces methodology adopted and result indicated with its compliance of the antimicrobial activities. Trial run successfully with the simulated patient transfer and the safety standards as HEPA filter efficiency minimal standard well-kept in order to maintain the air seal internal environment via HEPA suctioning. In order to maintain the front shape for easy observation and comfort, it remodeled into hard shell. Jacket shell is used environmental friendly materials for disposable, combustible as of non-polyvinylchloride material. Conclusion: Transfer Jacket enhances safety for health care providers as well as transportation vehicles immediate environment plus peoples nearby with an extra protection. Besides comfort of the evacuee can be enhanced and safety ranges and aspects consideration are also being well taken care of.

A discussion on the minimum required number of tests in two common pooling test methods for SARS-CoV-2.

Pooling of samples in detecting the presence of virus is an effective and efficient strategy in screening carriers in a large population with low infection rate, leading to reduction in cost and time. There are a number of pooling test methods, some being simple and others being complicated. In such pooling tests, the most important parameter to decide is the pool or group size, which can be optimised mathematically. Two pooling methods are relatively simple. The minimum numbers required in these two tests for a population with known infection rate are discussed and compared. Results are useful for identifying asymptomatic carriers in a short time and in implementing health codes systems.

Effect of glucocorticoid therapy on the prognosis of patients with severe and critical COVID-19: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has elevated mortality in severe and critical patients globally. This study examined the effect of glucocorticoids (GCS) on the time of virus clearance and absorption of lung lesions in severe and critical COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Severe and critical COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital from January 7 to February 10, 2020 were analyzed. The generalized linear model was utilized to assess the effects of GCS therapy on the times of nucleic acid test turning negative and improved pulmonary imaging, respectively. RESULTS: Of 66 patients, 51 (77.3%) and 15 (22.7%) were severe and critical cases, respectively, and aged 62 ± 11 years. A total of 58 patients (87.9%) tested negative, and 56 (84.8%) showed improved lung imaging. Age, thrombocytopenia, CD8 + T cell count, course of GCS therapy, and total dose were correlated with the time of nucleic acid test turning negative (p < 0.05), and sex was correlated with the time of initial pulmonary imaging improvement (p < 0.05). The time of nucleic acid test turning negative in individuals with GCS therapy course ≤ 10 days was shorter than that of the GCS therapy course > 10 days group (p=0.001). No statistical difference was found in the dose, course of GCS, and initial time of improved lung imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the dose of GCS and prolonging the course of treatment do not shorten the time of nucleic acid test turning negative or improved absorption of pulmonary lesions. Thus, the rational use of GCS is particularly important.

Trajectories of large respiratory droplets in indoor environment: A simplified approach.

The recent pandemic of COVID-19 has brought about tremendous impact on every aspect of human activities all over the world. The main route of transmission is believed to be through coronavirus-bearing respiratory droplets. The respiratory droplets have a wide spectrum in droplet size, ranging from very small droplets (aerosol droplets) to large droplets of tens and even hundreds of µm in size. The large droplets are expected to move like projectiles under the action of gravity force, buoyancy force and air resistance. Droplet motion is complicated by droplet evaporation, which reduces droplet size in its trajectory and affects the force acting on it. The present work attempts to determine the trajectories of the large droplets by using a simplified single-droplet approach. It aims at providing a clear physical picture to elucidate the mechanics involved in single droplet motion and the various factors affecting the range. Assuming an indoor environment with an air temperature of 18 °C and relative humidity of 50%, the horizontal range L x of large respiratory droplets (diameter 120 µm-200 µm) in common respiratory activities are as follows: Speaking, L x ≈ 0.16 m-0.68 m, coughing, L x ≈ 0.58 m-1.09 m, and sneezing, L x ≈ 1.34 m-2.76 m. For the smaller droplets (diameter < 100 µm), the droplets are reduced to aerosol droplets (≤5 µm) due to evaporation, and will remain suspended in the air instead of falling onto the ground like a projectile.