ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was designed to analyze the characteristics of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in seven clusters in the city of Chenzhou, China, to act as a reference for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The data of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported between January 23 and February 24, 2020, were obtained from the Chenzhou infectious disease surveillance system. In line with the diagnostic criteria of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Sixth Edition, Trial Implementation), 33 patients in seven clusters were selected as the research subjects, and epidemiological data were collected for descriptive analysis. Results: Between January 23 and February 24, 2020, 46 patients with COVID-19 were diagnosed in the city of Chenzhou, comprising 24 male patients and 22 female patients. The age of these patients ranged from seven months to 72 years old. The average age was 35.88 ± 17.98 and included 13 individual patients and 33 patients in seven clusters. Six clusters were exposed to the virus in Wuhan (the Wuhan group), and the other cluster was exposed to it in Shenzhen (the Shenzhen group). In the Wuhan group, the disease was spread in clusters of one family. The incubation period was 1-9 days, and the average length of hospital stay was 13.25 ± 2.67 days. Only close contacts were infected. In the Shenzhen group, three different families were infected in the same cluster. The incubation period was 11-14 days, the time of positive-to-negative conversion in the nucleic acid test was longer, and the average hospitalization time was 17.33 ± 5.87 days. Contacts who were not in close contact were infected. Conclusion: Patients are infectious in the incubation period, and asymptomatic patients are also infectious. The infectivity of the Shenzhen group was stronger than that of the Wuhan group. In the Shenzhen group, the time of positive-to-negative conversion of COVID-19 nucleic acid was longer, and the length of hospital stay was longer.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, so as to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on the national schistosomiasis control program in China. METHODS: On April 2020, 3 counties (districts) were randomly selected from each of the 12 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces (municipality, autonomous region), and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the implementation of schistosomiasis control activities in these counties (districts) from January to March 2020. Then, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemics on the national schistosomiasis control program of China was evaluated using a comparative analysis approach. RESULTS: Among the 36 counties (cities, districts) sampled from 12 provinces (municipality, autonomous region), 66.67% were at a high and medium risk of COVID-19 epidemics. The implementation of schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human schistosomiasis examination and treatment, snail control with chemical treatment and health education reduced by 44.26% to 91.56% as compared to 2019 during the same time period, and the schistosomiasis control program was more affected by COVID-19 in transmission-controlled provinces. The gross funds invested into the schistosomiasis control program reduced by 23.39% in relative to the expected, while the total expenditure increased by 41.22%. In addition, all 36 surveyed counties (districts) considered that the COVID-19 epidemic had a short-term impact on the schistosomiasis control program, with the most predominant impact on schistosomiasis control activities assignment, human resources and monitoring of endemic situation of schistosomiasis. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 epidemics affect the routine schistosomiasis control program across the endemic-foci of China. Policy and financial support should be strengthened to ensure the completion of the schistosomiasis control program.