Vaccination status for mild and asymptomatic infections with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant in Shanghai.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different vaccine regimens on mild and asymptomatic infections with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant in Shanghai. All asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms of Omicron infections were recruited from three major Fangcang shelter hospitals between March 26, 2022 and May 20, 2022. Nucleic acid for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction methods in nasopharyngeal swabs was assessed every day during the hospitalization. The value of cycle threshold lower than 35 was considered as positive result of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 214 592 cases were included in this study. The proportion of the asymptomatic patients was 76.90% and 23.10% of the recruited patients had mild symptoms. The median (interquartile range [IQR]: 25-75) duration of viral shedding (DVS) was 7 (5-10) days among all participants. The DVS varied greatly among different age groups. Children and the elderly had longer DVS compared with the adults. The booster shot of inactivated vaccine contributed to the shorter DVS in patients aged ≥70 years compared with the unvaccinated patients (8 [6-11] vs. 9 [6-12] days, p = 0.002]. Full inactivated vaccine regimen contributed to the shorter DVS in patients aged 3-6 years (7 [5-9] vs. 8 [5-10] days, p = 0.001]. In conclusion, the full inactivated vaccine regimen on children aged 3-6 years and booster inactivated vaccine regimen on the elderly aged ≥70 years appeared to be effective in reducing DVS. The booster vaccine regimen should be rigorously promoted and implemented.

Huashi baidu granule in the treatment of pediatric patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019: A single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Since late February 2022, a wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mainly caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant rapidly appeared in Shanghai, China. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is recommended for pediatric patients; however, the safety and efficacy remain to be confirmed. We conducted a single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herb compound, Huashi Baidu granule (HSBDG) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19. Methods: 108 recruited children (aged 3-18 years) with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19 were randomly allocated 2:1 to receive oral HSBDG for five consecutive days (intervention group) and to receive compound pholcodine oral solution for five consecutive days (control group). The negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and symptom scores were recorded. Results: The median negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (median days [interquartile range (IQR)]: 3 [3-5] vs. 5 [3-6]; p = 0.047). The median total symptom score on day 3 was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (median total symptom score [IQR]: 1 [0-2] vs. 2 [0-3]; p = 0.036). There was no significant differences in the frequency of antibiotic use and side effects between the two groups. Conclusion: HSBDG is a safe, effective oral Chinese herbal compound granule, which shows a good performance within the Omicron wave among pediatric patients.

Huashi baidu granule in the treatment of pediatric patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019: A single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Since late February 2022, a wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mainly caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant rapidly appeared in Shanghai, China. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is recommended for pediatric patients;however, the safety and efficacy remain to be confirmed. We conducted a single-center, open-label, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herb compound, Huashi Baidu granule (HSBDG) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19. Methods: 108 recruited children (aged 3–18 years) with laboratory-confirmed mild COVID-19 were randomly allocated 2:1 to receive oral HSBDG for five consecutive days (intervention group) and to receive compound pholcodine oral solution for five consecutive days (control group). The negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and symptom scores were recorded. Results: The median negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (median days [interquartile range (IQR)]: 3 [3–5] vs. 5 [3–6];p = 0.047). The median total symptom score on day 3 was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (median total symptom score [IQR]: 1 [0–2] vs. 2 [0–3];p = 0.036). There was no significant differences in the frequency of antibiotic use and side effects between the two groups. Conclusion: HSBDG is a safe, effective oral Chinese herbal compound granule, which shows a good performance within the Omicron wave among pediatric patients.

How should our testing behaviour change with time in children in current COVID-19 pandemic?

BACKGROUNDS: More paediatric-confirmed cases have been reported with the global pandemic of COVID-19. This study aims to summarize the key points and supply suggestions on screening paediatric COVID-19 patients more appropriately. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively included paediatric patients who have accepted SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (30 January 2020 to 13 February 2020) and compared them with paediatric-confirmed COVID-19 cases. Besides, a review was carried out by analysing all current literature about laboratory-confirmed paediatric cases with COVID-19. RESULTS: There were 46 suspected cases included in the descriptive study. The results of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing were all negative. Compared with paediatric-confirmed cases, the incidence of epidemic history was lower in suspected cases (P < .001). The rate of fever (P < .001), cough (P < .001), headache or dizziness (P < .001), vomiting (P < .001) and abdominal discomfort or distention (P = .01) were more observed in the included suspected children. There were more children having decreased WBC count in the confirmed group. In the literature review, twenty-nine studies were obtained with 488 paediatric COVID-19 cases. 88.6% of them had epidemiological history. Cough and fever were the most common symptoms. Compared with older patients, the incidence of fever, respiratory symptoms, lethargy and headache or dizziness was lower, while gastrointestinal symptoms were reported more. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a history of close contact with confirmed cases, manifested as cough and fever should be paid more attention to after excluding infection of other common pathogens. Atypical symptoms should not be over-emphasized in screening paediatric COVID-19. More studies are needed for guiding efficient recognition in paediatric COVID-19.

The isolation period should be longer: Lesson from a child infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Chongqing, China.

In December 2019, COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbroke in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, China. The disease rapidly spread to other areas in China due to a huge population movement during the New Year Festival. Here, a 7-year-old child with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Chongqing, outside of Wuhan, Hubei province, was reported. This case suggested that children infected with SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to present milder manifestations than adults. The continuous positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for SARS-CoV-2 in the child's throat swab sample indicated the isolation period for suspected child cases should be longer than 14 days.