Data-Driven Approach to Understand the Mobility Patterns of the Portuguese Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019. Since then, it has spread to several countries, becoming classified as a pandemic. So far, there is no definitive treatment or vaccine, so the best solution is to prevent transmission between individuals through social distancing. However, it is not easy to measure the effectiveness of these distance measures. Therefore, this study uses data from Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports to understand the Portuguese population’s mobility patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the Rt value was modeled for Portugal. In addition, the changepoint was calculated for the population mobility patterns. Thus, the mobility pattern change was used to understand the impact of social distance measures on the dissemination of COVID-19. As a result, it can be stated that the initial Rt value in Portugal was very close to 3, falling to values close to 1 after 25 days. Social isolation measures were adopted quickly. Furthermore, it was observed that public transport was avoided during the pandemic. Finally, until the emergence of a vaccine or an effective treatment, this is the new normal, and it must be understood that new patterns of mobility, social interaction, and hygiene must be adapted to this reality.

A theoretical analysis of the putative ORF10 protein in SARS-CoV-2 (preprint)

Found just upstream of the 3'-untranslated region in the SARS-CoV-2 genome is the putative ORF10 which has been proposed to encode for the hypothetical ORF10 protein. Even though current research suggests this protein is not likely to be produced, further investigations into this protein are still warranted. Herein, this study uses multiple bioinformatic programs to theoretically characterize and construct the ORF10 protein in SARS-CoV-2. Results indicate this protein is mostly ordered and hydrophobic with high protein-binding propensity, especially in the N-terminus. Although minimal, an assessment of twenty-two missense mutations for this protein suggest slight changes in protein flexibility and hydrophobicity. When compared against two other protein models, this study's model was found to possess higher quality. As such, this model suggests the ORF10 protein contains a {beta}--{beta} motif with a {beta}-molecular recognition feature occurring as the first {beta}-strand. Furthermore, this protein also shares a strong phylogenetic relationship with other putative ORF10 protein's in closely related coronaviruses. Despite not yielding evidence for the existence of this protein within SARS-CoV-2, this study does present theoretical examinations that can serve as platforms to drive additional experimental work that assess the biological relevance of this hypothetical protein in SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics in outpatient diagnosis of COVID-19 in healthcare professionals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (preprint)

AimsThis study aimed to identify the symptoms associated with early stage SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infections in healthcare professionals (HCP) using both clinical and laboratory data. MethodsA total of 1,297 patients, admitted between March 18 and April 8, 2020, were stratified according to their risk of developing COVID-19 using their responses to a questionnaire designed to evaluate symptoms and risk conditions. ResultsAnosmia/hyposmia (p <0.0001), fever (p<0.0001), body pain (p<0.0001), and chills (p=0.001) were all independent predictors for COVID-19, with a 72% estimated probability for detecting COVID-19 in nasopharyngeal swab samples. Leukopenia, relative monocytosis, decreased eosinophil values, CRP, and platelets were also shown to be significant independent predictors for COVID-19. ConclusionsThe significant clinical features for COVID-19 were identified as anosmia, fever, chills, and body pain. Elevated CRP, leukocytes under 5,400 x 109/L, and relative monocytosis (>9%) were common among patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. These variables may help, in the absence of RT-PCR tests, to identify possible COVID-19 infections during pandemic outbreaks. SummaryFrom March 19 to April 8 2020, 1,297 patients attended the Polyclinic Piquet Carneiro for COVID-19 detection. Healthcare professional data was analyzed, significant clinical features were anosmia, fever, chills and body pain. Elevated CRP, leukopenia and monocytosis were common in COVID-19.