Real-Time Face Mask Detection from CCTV Video Frames using Deep Neural Networks

The coronavirus, commonly known as SARS COVID-19, is causing a pandemic that is affecting individuals all over the world. The spread of the virus compelled the authorities to impose a rigorous lockdown on its citizens. Every person in society may experience a variety of issues as a result of this. According to WHO (World Health Organization) regulations, the sole method to halt the virus's spread is to wear a face mask. Therefore, the suggested approach makes sure that everyone appropriately wears a face mask in public locations. The objective of this approach is to detect people without face masks and people who wear facemasks incorrectly in social environments. This system consists of multiple face detection modules to find the area of interest within the video frames. In the next level, using the trained Deep Learning model, the presence of a mask is detected and faces without mask and faces wearing masks incorrectly are highlighted. The dataset for face mask identification comprises of 8190 photos with unique facial annotations from the Kaggle and RMFD datasets that come into two categories: "with mask” and "without mask”. © 2022 IEEE

Treatment of COVID-19 ARDS with a tabletop NIV device in a Respiratory Intermediate Care Unit

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been tried in COVID-19 ARDS (CARDS), and its role is being increasingly recognised. If proven, it could be a game-changer in resource limited settings. We report our experience with administration of respiratory support using a tabletop NIV device in a respiratory intermediate care unit (RIMCU). Methodology: We retrospectively studied a cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, who received protocolised management with positive airway pressure using a tabletop NIV device in the RIMCU as a step-up rescue therapy for deterioration despite low flow oxygen support. Treatment was commenced with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode up to a pressure of 10 cm H2O and if required inspiratory pressures were added with the bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) mode. Success was defined as weaning from NIV and stepping down to the ward. Failure was defined as escalation to the intensive care unit (ICU) or need for intubation or death. Result(s): In all, 246 patients were treated in the RIMCU during the study period. Of these, 168 received respiratory support via tabletop NIV device as a step-up rescue therapy. Their mean age was 54 years, and 83% were males. Diabetes Mellitus (78%) and hypertension (44%) were the commonest comorbidities. Treatment was successful with tabletop NIV in 77%;of this, 41% was on CPAP alone and 36% after receiving increased inspiratory pressures on BPAP mode. Conclusion(s): Respiratory support using a tabletop NIV device is an effective, and economical treatment for CARDS. Further studies are required to assess the appropriate time of initiation for maximal benefit and judicious resource utilisation.

Genome Analysis for Sequence Variants in Sars-Cov -2 in Symptomatic Individuals at Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: COVID-19 is an acute viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2(SARS-CoV-2). Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, multiple new variants of concern have emerged which are associated with enhanced transmissibility and increased virulence? It also highlights the role of the clinical interprofessional teams, public health agencies, and community participation in improving patientcare. An analysis of genomic sequencing variants of SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic patients during 2nd and 3rd wave of pandemic by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Material(s) and Method(s): A total of 200 symptomatic patients, throat/nasopharyngeal swab were collected for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) at tertiary care hospital, Ongole. The specimens were transported under cold chain according to guidelines to Centre for Cellular & Molecular biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, for genome sequence analysis by next generation sequencing (NGS). Study period - 2ndwave i.e., MARCH 2021 -NOVEMBER 2021 & 3rdwave i.e., DECEMBER 2021 -MARCH 2022 according to WHO. Result(s): Out of 200 samples analysed, 132 samples of 2nd wave & 68 samples in 3rd wave. Out of 132 samples, 57 Delta (B.1.617.2), 75 Delta sub-lineages. Out of 68 samples 41 Omicron (B.1.1.529), 11 Omicron lineages (BA.1), 16 Omicron (BA.2). Conclusion(s): During the 2ndwave the symptomatic patients were detected with more delta and delta sub lineages showing high mortality rate. During 3rdwave omicron and omicron sub lineages were detected more than delta showing very high transmissibility and less mortality. Continuous monitoring and analysis of the sequence variants to understand the genetic heterogenicity. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Covid-19: Comparison of Time Series Forecasting Models and Hybrid ARIMA-ANN

The COVID-19 outbreak has taken many countless lives in the society and presents an unprecedented public health threat, as well as a threat to food systems and workplace safety. As a result, various machine learning models that can forecast the outbreak internationally have been developed. In order to help in the restriction of the transmission and growing number of covid cases in India, this study employs a range of methodologies to forecast the total number of current cases in India over the following 15 days. To forecast the future, the ARIMA Model, Facebook Prophet and Holt's Winter Model are utilised. Before being preprocessed, data is gathered in real time from a variety of sources. After that, the data set is split into two sections: training and testing. Finally, the model's accuracy is trained and evaluated. The approaches’ forecasting effectiveness is influenced by strategies for deconstructing the original data and merging linear and nonlinear models during the hybridization process, according to the results. By applying correct techniques, a hybrid approach can be an useful approach for enhancing forecasting accuracy achieved by traditional hybrid approaches as well as any of the other constituent methods employed alone. This paper provides a hybrid methodology that incorporates both ARIMA and ANN models to take advantage of the unique characteristics of ARIMA and ANN models in linear and nonlinear modelling. The Hybrid model showed better accuracy and a root mean square error of 21,267 which is the lowest among other models compared. The article emphasizes on the ability to assist governments in acting and making sound decisions, as well as planning for the future, in order to reduce public concern and prepare people's thinking for the next phases of the pandemic. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Covid -19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Immunocompetent Patient – A Case Report

Background:One of the complication of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is secondary infection. The patients with severe Covid-19 who are admitted in ICU are at increased risk of developing co-infections due to various reasons. Recent stud- ies have showed that 19-26% of patients admitted in ICU developed Pulmonary Aspergillosis. But most of the cases are underdiagnosed due to difficulties in diagnostic methods to collect clinical samples due to the aerosols generation. In this case report, Aspergillus was isolated from sputum sample of a patient. Methods:A 53 years old male patient recovered from Covid-19 two months back presented with c/o chest pain, difficul- ty in breathing and Haemoptysis to the emergency department. On admission, O2 saturation was 70%, Xray Chest re- vealed B/L midzone cavity, CT chest: Paraseptal emphysematous changes, involving B/L upper lobe (Grade 4). Hb: 7g/dl, WBC count 17000cell/cumm (Neutrophil -79%), CRP: 153mg/L, IL-6- 804 pg/mL. The patient was suspected to have bac- terial and fungal co-infection. He was empericallly started with Meropenam, Voriconazole and ATT. GenExpert for MTB was negative. The sputum, blood, urine and stool samples were received in Microbiology laboratory for bacterial and fungal culture. Blood, Sputum, Urine & Stool culture were negative for bacterial pathogens. Fungal culture: Heavy growth of Aspergillus fumigatus was observed within 72 hours in sputum sample. Results:COVID-19 associated with Pulmonary Aspergillosis is a recently described syndrome that affect Covid -19 pa- tients with ARDS. In this case we reported Aspergillus fumigatus in culture as secondary infection 2 months after Covid pneumonia. Conclusions:Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis may complicate severe Covid-19 pneumonia. Hence in ICU patients with Pneumonia who do not respond to antibiotics, sputum sample has to be subjected for fungal culture. Antifungal suscep- tibility testing should also be performed due to the global emergence of triazole resistance.

Study of Morphological Spectrum of Peripheral Blood Smear Changes in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Positive Patients and its Correlation with Clinical Severity

Introduction: Peripheral blood changes in Coronavirus disease 19(COVID-19) are diverse and have been reported in literature in theform of brief communications and case series with relatively smallersample size and with a handful of studies showing associationbetween peripheral blood smear (PBS) and clinical severity of thedisease.Aims &Objectives: To highlight the numerical and morphologicalchanges in COVID-19 patients and to compare the same in IntensiveCare Unit (ICU) and non-ICU settings as well as between COVID-19survivors and deceased patients.Materials &Methods: This cross-sectional study included 80COVID-19 positive (41 ICU and 39 non-ICU) patients and 32COVID-19 negative ICU patients, done in Department of Pathology,ABVIMS &Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi from December 2020 toFebruary 2021. Complete blood counts (CBC) and PBS findings werestudied and scored by two pathologists blindfoldedly.Result: Among CBC parameters, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC)and absolute eosinophil count (AEC) were significantly lower inCOVID-19 positive cases as compared to COVID-19 negative group(p = 0.001 &p = 0.001). On PBS, COVID-19 positive group showedsignificant left myeloid shift (p = 0.021), Dohle bodies (p = 0.025)with significant prominence of acquired pseudo pelger-huet anomaly,ring shaped neutrophils, monolobulate neutrophils and plasmacytoidlymphocytes as compared to control group (p = 0.000, p = 0.009,p = 0.046 &p = 0.011 resp). The overall mean White blood cell(WBC) counts were higher in COVID-19 positive ICU patients ascompared to non-ICU COVID positive patients with significant shiftto left (p = 0.017). Ring shaped neutrophils, monocyte vacuolationand large granular lymphocyte (LGL) were significantly higher inCOVID-19 positive ICU patients as compared to non-ICU patients(p = 0.007, p = 0.008 &p = 0.004 resp). Deceased group (14/39 ICUCOVID positive cases) showed significantly high WBC count(p = 0.018) with marked neutrophilia (p = 0.024) and toxic granulation (p = 0.01) and prominence of monocyte vacuolization, ringshaped neutrophils, large granular lymphocytes and reactive lymphocytes as compared to survivor.Conclusions: Morphological parameters like myeloid left shift, ringshaped neutrophils, monocyte vacuolation, LGLs and reactive lymphocytes emerged as highly sensitive markers of COVID-19 diseaseseverity. Therefore, serial CBC with comprehensive PBS analysisshould be done in every newly diagnosed hospitalized COVID-19patients to potentially predicts the course of disease and its clinicaloutcome.

Redefining the Relationship: Palliative Care in Critical Perinatal and Neonatal Cardiac Patients.

Patients with perinatal and neonatal congenital heart disease (CHD) represent a unique population with higher morbidity and mortality compared to other neonatal patient groups. Despite an overall improvement in long-term survival, they often require chronic care of complex medical illnesses after hospital discharge, placing a high burden of responsibility on their families. Emerging literature reflects high levels of depression and anxiety which plague parents, starting as early as the time of prenatal diagnosis. In the current era of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the additive nature of significant stressors for both medical providers and families can have catastrophic consequences on communication and coping. Due to the high prognostic uncertainty of CHD, data suggests that early pediatric palliative care (PC) consultation may improve shared decision-making, communication, and coping, while minimizing unnecessary medical interventions. However, barriers to pediatric PC persist largely due to the perception that PC consultation is indicative of "giving up." This review serves to highlight the evolving landscape of perinatal and neonatal CHD and the need for earlier and longitudinal integration of pediatric PC in order to provide high-quality, interdisciplinary care to patients and families.

Transformation of education rooms into smart environments in post pandemic period using iot

Covid-19 pneumonia is rapidly spreading in India after America and other Western countries. Its rapidness is exponential that few of the states in India have highly been affected especially the western and southern parts. The furiousness of this pandemic has not omitted even the rural areas. Besides providing safety guidelines the government also follows mechanisms to safeguard people. The virus is asymptomatic that the spread couldn’t be easily identified without testing. Due to this severity, effective classroom learning becomes a major concern. This work provides a proficient methodology during post Covid period to conduct classroom teaching through new tracking methods. The paper proposes a novel approach using Internet of Things (IoT) that can be applied in educational institutions. The work encompasses an easy tracking system of students who do not follow safety mechanisms when they are in classrooms. © 2021, Annals of R.S.C.B. All rights reserved.

Effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on health-related quality of life, lung function, exercise tolerance, and dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder patients in a tertiary care center in South India.

CONTEXT: Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can increase compliance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). There is paucity of data on this in India. AIMS: To study the effectiveness of home-based PR on lung function, health-related quality of life, exercise tolerance and dyspnea among patients with COPD. SETTING: The Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study which included COPD patients who found hospital-based PR impractical. Those willing for home-based PR constituted the intervention group and those unwilling, constituted the control group. Both groups received standard of care otherwise. At 6 weeks, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), six-minute walk test distance (6MWD), COPD assessment test (CAT) score and modified Borg dyspnea scale were compared with their baseline values. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student paired t-test. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients completed the study, 21 in each arm. The baseline characteristics were comparable. The improvement in FEV1 was 90 ml in the intervention group and 4 ml in the control group (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference in 6MWD change. SGRQ score, Borg scale and CAT score improved significantly by 10.4, 2.4, and 3.4, respectively, in the intervention group when compared to the control group (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Home-based PR effectively provides tangible benefits in FEV1, QOL, exercise tolerance and dyspnea. It should be offered to those who are unable to avail institution-based PR, especially in this era of COVID pandemic.

A review of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): based on genomic structure, phylogeny, current shreds of evidence, candidate vaccines, and drug repurposing.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is instigated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of March 13, 2021, more than 118.9 million cases were infected with COVID-19 worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA beta-CoV. Most COVID-19 infected individuals recover within 1-3 weeks. Nevertheless, approximately 5% of patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and other systemic complications, leading to death. Structural genetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 have shown genomic resemblances but a low evolutionary correlation to SARS-CoV-1 responsible for the 2002-2004 outbreak. The S glycoprotein is critical for cell adhesion and the entrance of the virus into the host. The process of cell entry uses the cellular receptor named angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Recent evidence proposed that the CD147 as a SARS-CoV-2's potential receptor. The viral genome is mainly held by two non-structural proteins (NSPs), ORF1a and ORF1ab, along with structural proteins. Although NSPs are conserved among the ßCoVs, mutations in NSP2 and NSP3 may play critical roles in transmitting the virus and cell tropism. To date, no specific/targeted anti-viral treatments exist. Notably, more than 50 COVID-19 candidate vaccines in clinical trials, and a few being administered. Preventive precautions are the primary strategy to limit the viral load transmission and spread, emphasizing the urgent need for developing significant drug targets and vaccines against COVID-19. This review provides a cumulative overview of the genomic structure, transmission, phylogeny of SARS-CoV-2 from Indian clusters, treatment options, updated discoveries, and future standpoints for COVID-19. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02749-0.

Responses of three urban U.S. Children's Hospitals to COVID-19: Seattle, New York and New Orleans.

Since January 2020, there has been a worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The United States has been particularly affected, with the largest number of confirmed cases in a single country in the world. Healthcare systems for adults as well as children have dealt with challenges. This article will reflect on the experiences of selected children's hospitals in Seattle, New York City, and New Orleans, three of the "hotspots" in the US and share common aspects and lessons learned from these experiences. This article discusses testing and cohorting of patients, personal protective equipment utilization, limiting workplace exposure, and information sharing.