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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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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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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.
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Background: COVID-19 has taken a big toll on the world in terms of morbidity and mortality. The disease may progress in some of the patients leading to trigger of "cytokine storm" which is shown to be associated with adverse outcomes. Heat killed Mycobacterium w (Mw) is a known immunomodulator which is approved for the treatment of gram negative sepsis. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of Mw in the treatment of COVID-19 early in the course of the disease. Method: In this retrospective observational study, 117 (84 males, 33 females) COVID-19 patients admitted between July 3, 2020 and Aug 26, 2020 in the covid ward of Fortis Hiranandani hospital, Mumbai, were enrolled. Patients were tested COVID-19 positive on RTPCR and were treated with standard of care treatment along with Mw 0.3 ml intradermal injection per day for 3 consecutive days. Patients were evaluated for live discharge as well as changes in the levels of inflammatory markers. Results: Use of Mw was seen to be associated with rapid recovery in 116/117 patients from COVID-19 who were discharged from the hospital within 10 days. A decrease in the levels of CRP and IL6 was observed after the administration of Mw. This decrease was associated with improvement in the patients' condition. The use of Mw was seen to be associated with no systemic side effects. Conclusion: The patients of COVID-19 may deteriorate due to exaggerated production of cytokines which may result in adverse outcomes. Mw used earlier in the disease not only effectively prevents excessive cytokine production but also contribute to rapid recovery. Mw was also found to be safe in use. Larger randomized controlled trials are recommended to assess the role of Mw in COVID-19.
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The goal of Ayurveda is prevention is better than cure. There are a total of 9152 COVID-19 cases reported in India (till April 13, 2020), 308 people were died because of this disease, and 856 patients were treated successfully in our Country. This virus can easily affect or harm those individuals who have an infection, less immunity and especially who all have been aged more than sixty. Most of the countries are worried only for their people’s life (health). In contrast, the developing countries like India that has a large population have to consider about the livelihood for people like Below Poverty Line (BPL) or those living in slum areas, equally with their life. The main aim of the article is to aware the people not only Urban but also among Rural and needy individuals to adopt the Ayurveda lifestyle during Covid19 outbreak. For this to study various methods which are described in Ayurveda for boosting immunity among various individuals. This study is a review type of article. All information and references have been collected and compiled from various avail-able Ayurvedic classics texts. Research articles are also searched from various websites related to Covid19 outbreak and its effect on needy individuals. All matters have been analysed for some discussion, and an attempt has been made to rule out some conclusions. During this lockdown, people are mostly living a sedentary lifestyle which not only weakens their immune system but also make them more susceptible to infections. Hence Ayurveda is a science of life that is mainly focusing on strengthening persons by boosting their immune system through improving our lifestyle by using medicines, diets, meditation and activities like Yoga. This article will give insights about poor people and effective strategy to threat COVID-19 through Ayurveda in India.