SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnancy, Birth and Puerperium. Guideline of the DGGG and DGPM (S2k-Level, AWMF Registry Number 015/092, March 2022)

Objective This S2k guideline of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and the German Society of Perinatal Medicine (DGPM) contains consensus-based recommendations for the care and treatment of pregnant women, parturient women, women who have recently given birth, and breastfeeding women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their newborn infants. The aim of the guideline is to provide recommendations for action in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic for professionals caring for the above-listed groups of people. Methods The PICO format was used to develop specific questions. A systematic targeted search of the literature was carried out using PubMed, and previously formulated statements and recommendations issued by the DGGG and the DGPM were used to summarize the evidence. This guideline also drew on research data from the CRONOS registry. As the data basis was insufficient for a purely evidence-based guideline, the guideline was compiled using an S2k-level consensus-based process. After summarizing and presenting the available data, the guideline authors drafted recommendations in response to the formulated PICO questions, which were then discussed and voted on. Recommendations Recommendations on hygiene measures, prevention measures and care during pregnancy, delivery, the puerperium and while breastfeeding were prepared. They also included aspects relating to the monitoring of mother and child during and after infection with COVID-19, indications for thrombosis prophylaxis, caring for women with COVID-19 while they are giving birth, the presence of birth companions, postnatal care, and testing and monitoring the neonate during rooming-in or on the pediatric ward.Copyright © 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium: The CRONOS registry.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can lead to severe respiratory symptoms. Pregnant women have an increased risk for a severe course. Therefore, the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) Guidelines 015/092 "SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium" were established to standardize care in the COVID-19 pandemic. The guideline group used data from the "COVID-19 related obstetrics and neonatal outcome study" (CRONOS) to generate evidence-based recommendations for action. CRONOS collects data from more than 130 affiliated maternity hospitals nationwide in Germany. According to the study, pregnant women positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are often asymptomatic;however, in 1 out of 25 detected infections there is a severe course requiring intensive medical treatment. Thromboembolism occurs in 1 out of 30 women hospitalized for COVID-19. An infection of the neonate of a mother infected peripartum is occasionally detected (about 1 out of 20 infants) and usually remains without consequence in the short-term outcome. Many other questions have been answered using CRONOS data. The registry is still open and recruiting and will also provide more in-depth information on different virus variants and vaccination in the future with more than 6000 cases. CRONOS is exemplary for an unprecedented cooperation of gynecologists during the pandemic.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.

Teachers' emotional well-being during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with long school closures: a large-scale cross-sectional survey in Northern Italy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the magnitude of emotional burden on teaching staff during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a significantly impacted region. In addition, the correlates of emotional burden were analysed to enable the design of targeted interventions. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional survey. METHODS: An electronic survey was administered to the teaching staff at public schools and kindergartens in a specific geographical area. Cross-sectional assessments of pandemic-specific variables were performed using the Pandemic Fatigue Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)-21, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Resilient Coping Scale. DASS-21 results were compared with results from a parallel survey that was representative of the local general population. RESULTS: In total, 3251 teaching staff members participated in the survey. Teachers showed a higher emotional burden for depression, anxiety and stress than the general population during the pandemic. According to a linear regression model, this burden is correlated with the language in which the questionnaires were answered, mistrust towards institutions, specific SARS-CoV-2 anxiety, past infection with SARS-CoV-2, avoidance of information about the pandemic and pandemic fatigue; emotional burden was negatively correlated with measures for life satisfaction, resilience and team atmosphere. Some independent variables were shown to contribute differentially to the variance of depression, anxiety or stress. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional distress during the pandemic among teachers is higher than in the general population and correlates with variables that could, at least in principle, be targeted for specific interventions.

Corrigendum to “A framework for assessing the effects of shock events on livestock and environment in sub-Saharan Africa: The COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Kenya” [Agricultural Systems Vol. 192 (2021) 103203](S0308521X21001566)(10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103203)

The authors regret that the following text should be added : “We gratefully acknowledge funding support from the Agricultural Technology Adoption Initiative (ATAI), grant number S5081.” The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. © 2021 The Author(s)

On the dynamics emerging from pandemics and infodemics

This position paper discusses emerging behavioral, social, and economic dynamics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and puts particular emphasis on two emerging issues: First, delayed effects (or second strikes) of pandemics caused by dread risk effects are discussed whereby two factors which might influence the existence of such effects are identified, namely the accessibility of (mis-)information and the effects of policy decisions on adaptive behavior. Second, the issue of individual preparedness to hazardous events is discussed. As events such as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds complex behavioral patterns which are hard to predict, sophisticated models which account for behavioral, social, and economic dynamics are required to assess the effectivity and efficiency of decision-making. © 2020, The Author(s).