ABSTRACT
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic driven by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus–2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become the most critical universal health disaster of this century. Millions of people are staying at home obeying lockdown to halt the spread of this novel virus. The spread of the virus has forced people to use the mask, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc. daily, and healthcare workers to use personal protection equipment following the WHO guidelines, resulting in huge amounts of medical waste. This pandemic has led to a slowdown of economic activities significantly, and consequently, stock markets have nosedived beyond speculation. Although the deadly coronavirus has taken away millions of precious lives and the livelihood of many sections of people worldwide, it has brought several positive changes in the world. Furthermore, it has led to a massive restoration of the environment and improved air and water quality. Pandemic showed the resilient nature of the environment, including air and water, when human activities are paused. In addition, we also discussed how this pandemic affects human lifestyle behavior. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The present study aims at explaining the epidemic situation in India for COVID-19 and forecasting the expected rise in the positive cases in India. Objective: This study will be useful for Government authorities and Medical Practitioners in assessing the trends for India and preparing a combat plan with stringent measures. This research would also be useful in predicting outbreak numbers with greater precision for people involved in exploring this deadly disease. Methods: We used the Support Vector Machine (SVM) to forecast and analyze the COVID-19 situations to predict future trends. On definite trail and model training, it was observed that the number of COVID cases will increase for the next four days. Results: The SVM model predicted accurate results. The prediction accuracy seems to best fit and indicates the cases to rise in the next coming days. Confirmed cases and the SVM predictions are close to each other, thus proving the accuracy of the SVM predictions. It was inferred that the numbers of COVID-19 instances will rise if the same trend is followed. Conclusion: The COVID-19 outbreak is exacerbated by secondary hospital transmission. Testing, particularly of those coming in with respiratory symptoms, is essential to isolate those in hospitals. A two-stage, pre-emptive testing is recommended in symptomatic older people immediately to reduce mortality. Immediate and on-going serological surveys are required to track the epidemic level. We are flying blind at the moment. The demand for the ventilators would be 1 million. The current supply in India is projected to range from 30 K to 50 K (the US has 160 K and is still running short). Health staff involved in treating COVID-19 patients also have to shield themselves using personal protection (i.e., masks and gowns) to save themselves from being infected. Thus, SVM model predictions will give a better insight into the growth of COVID-19 cases and, therefore, will allow the government of India to take adequate measures to restrain the issue at the earliest. © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Aims & Objectives: Peripheral blood abnormalities in COVID 19 infection have not been fully explained. We report 33 cases of COVID-19 infection with Leukoerythroblastic picture on peripheral blood smear examination. We intend to describe this unfamiliar finding in this novel viral infection and correlate it with the clinical outcome. Patients/Materials & Methods: Investigation records of COVID 19 cases admitted from 20th August 2020 to 30th September 2020 at COVID hospital, Dr. RMLIMS, LUCKNOW, were reviewed for hematologic tests performed. Peripheral blood smear examination was done on test results flagged for abnormalities on automated cell counter. A leukoerythroblastic blood picture was reported when the smears showed presence of granulocyte left shift as well as nucleated red blood cells. This finding was correlated with the clinical outcome of the patient. Results: Out of 280 slides reviewed, 33 (11.78%) showed a leukoerythroblastic picture. Among the 33 cases, 72.72% of cases (24/33) showed presence of metamyelocyte/myelocyte, 15.15% of cases (5/ 33) showed presence of promyelocytes, and 12.12% (4/33) showed presence of blasts. NRBC varied from 0.5% to 10% in these cases. Most patients had comorbidities at presentation, which included hypertension (8/33), type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (7/33), hypothyroidism (3/33), pregnancy (3/33), chronic kidney disease (2/33). 13 patients (39.4%) required mechanical ventilation. There were 17 (51.5%) deaths. 11 patients (33.33%) recovered and were discharged. 5 patients (15.15%) were shifted to other hospitals whose follow up was not available. Discussion & Conclusion: Leukoerythroblastosis is an uncommon and unfamiliar finding in patients with COVID 19 infection. This Peripheral blood abnormality can occasionally provide insight into the underlying pathophysiologic processes. Furthermore, it seems to be an adverse prognostic factor and may help clinicians and intensivists to make prompt management decisions.
ABSTRACT
Since the first recorded case of SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh on 8th March 2020, COVID-19 has spread widely through different regions of the country, resulting in a necessity to re-evaluate the delivery of cardiovascular services, particularly procedures pertaining to interventional cardiology in resource-limited settings. Given its robust capacity for human-to-human transmission and potential of being a nosocomial source of infection, the disease has specific implications on healthcare systems and health care professionals faced with performing essential cardiac procedures in patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The limited resources in terms of cardiac catheterization laboratories that can be designated to treat only COVID positive patients are further compounded by the additional challenges of unavailability of widespread rapid testing on-site at tertiary cardiac hospitals in Bangladesh. This document prepared for our nation by the Bangladesh Society of Cardiovascular Interventions (BSCI) is intended to serve as a clinical practice guideline for cardiovascular health care professionals, with a focus on modifying standard practice of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to ensure continuation of adequate and timely treatment of cardiovascular emergencies avoiding hospital-based transmission of SARS-COV-2 among healthcare professionals and the patients. This is an evolving document based on currently available global data and is tailored to healthcare systems in Bangladesh with particular focus on, but not limited to, invasive cardiology facilities (cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology & pacing labs). This guideline is limited to the provision of cardiovascular care, and it is expected that specific targeted pharmaco-therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 be prescribed as stipulated by the National Guidelines on Clinical Management of Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) published by the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh.