Influence of health literacy of rural junior middle school students on knowledge, attitudes and practices of COVID-19 protection in Jiangxi Province

Objective: To understand the influence of junior middle school students' health literacy on knowledge, belief and behavior of COVID-19 in rural areas of Jiangxi Province, and to enhance junior middle school students' ability to deal with public health emergencies. Methods: Stratified cluster random sampling was used to investigate the health literacy, knowledge level and behavior of COVID-19 protection of 4 311 grade 7 to grade 8 students in rural areas of Jiangxi Province;Chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between junior high school students' health literacy and COVID-19 protection knowledge, belief and behavior. Results: The rate of health literacy of junior middle school students in rural areas was 18.21%(n=785), the reported rate of intermediate level was high (n=2 454, 56.92%), and the reported rate of junior high school students at a low level of health literacy was 24.87%(n=1 072). The rate of junior middle school students in rural areas with good COVID-19 protection knowledge was 63.49%, the rate of positive protection attitude was 74.25%, and the rate of good protection behavior was 85.36%;Rate of COVID-19 protection knowledge (OR=4.85, 95%CI=3.80-6.18) and positive rate of protection attitude of high-level health literacy (OR=44.07, 95%CI=24.57-79.05), protective behavior possession rate (OR=25.99, 95%CI=19.67-34.35) were higher than those with low level of health literacy(P < 0.01). Conclusion: Health literacy is associated with COVID-19 protection knowledge, belief and behavior in rural junior high school students of Jiangxi Province, the findings provide direction for junior middle school students to improve their ability to deal with public health emergencies.

Influencing factors of negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection in 228 patients infected with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Shanghai

Objective: To analyze and compare the effects of different clinical characteristics on the negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant infection, and to provide a scientific basis for the isolation and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The epidemiological and clinical data of 228 mild SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infected patients diagnosed in Shanghai were retrospectively collected from April 27, 2022 to June 8, 2022 in Wujiaochang designated Hospital, Yangpu District, Shanghai. The negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection was used as the outcome variable, and the patients were divided into A (18 days) and B (>18 days). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of the negative conversion time of nucleic acid detection. Results: The mean nucleic acid conversion time of 228 patients was (18.7+or-12.1) d, with the median time of 18 (2-46) d. Among them, 120 patients in group A had an average nucleic acid conversion time of (13.2+or-2.0) d, and 108 cases in group B had an average nucleic acid conversion time of (20.8+or-1.3) d. Univariate analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the effects of hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypokalemia, malignant tumors, neuropsychiatric diseases, chronic digestive diseases on the negative nucleic acid conversion time (P > 0.05);however, there were significant differences in the effects of combined cerebrovascular disease, leukopenia, chronic respiratory system diseases and vaccination on the negative nucleic acid conversion time (P < 0.05). Further multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the combination of chronic respiratory diseases and non-vaccination were significant risk factors for prolongation of negative nucleic acid conversion time (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study show that gender, age and whether hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypokalemia, malignant tumor, neuropsychiatric disease and chronic digestive disease have no significant effect on the nucleic acid conversion time, whereas chronic respiratory disease and no vaccination are significantly correlated with the prolongation of nucleic acid conversion time in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-infected patients.

Relationship between social support and psychological resilience and post-traumatic stress disorder in college students

Objective To investigate the characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in college students during the outbreak of COVID-19, and to explore the mediating role of psychological resilience between social support and PTSD. Methods By using direct selection method, 572 college students in Anhui and Shanghai were selected and administered with General Characteristics Questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version(PCL-C), Psychological Resilience Scale(PRS) and Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS). Results Among the participants, 25.0% had moderate PTSD symptoms, 11.7% had obvious PTSD symptoms, and the positive rate of PTSD was 36.7%. The prevalence of PTSD in college students was higher in males than in females (X2=4.31, P < 0.05). The junior students were higher than other students (X2=16.81, P < 0.01). The scores of social support, psychological resilience and PTSD were (33.79+or-4.83), (92.17+or-13.39) and (35.50+or-11.39), respectively. The correlations of all variables were statistically significant(r=-0.49-0.76, P < 0.05);The mediation test showed that social support could not only negatively predict PTSD directly(direct effect was -0.35), but also indirectly affect PTSD through psychological resilience(indirect effect was -0.32). Conclusion More than one third of college students have PTSD symptoms, and psychological resilience plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between social support and PTSD, social support can both directly and negatively predict PTSD and indirectly affect PTSD by increasing an individual's psychological resilience.

An outbreak of school influenza complicated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Objective: To describe the clinical features, causal agent and transmission mode of a fever outbreak in a school in Shanghai. Methods: Field epidemiological approaches including case definition development, searching for contacts, distribution of diseases description, environmental sampling and laboratory testing. Results: A total of 16 influenza-like cases were included, all concentrated in the one class of grade two, including 15 students and 1 teacher. Among student cases, the incidence rate was 36.59%(15/41), the average age was 7.4 years, the incidence rate was 36.84%(7/19) for boys, 36.36%(8/22) for girls. The clinical course was 5-15 days, with the median of 9 days, and 18.75%(3/16) of the cases stayed studying while sick. The nasopharyngeal swab specimens in 16 cases all tested positive for influenza B, of which 11 tested positive for mycoplasma pneumoniae and 1 case also tested positive for coronavirus OC43. Body temperature, number of mononuclear cells, and treatment time of patients infected with Influenza B and mycoplasma pneumoniae were higher than those of patients infected with influenza B alone(P < 0.05). The outbreak lasted for 12 days, all sick students were treated and discharged from hospital, with no severe cases or death, and the outbreak was effectively controlled. Conclusion: This campus cluster outbreak caused by influenza B and mycoplasma pneumoniae. Patients with influenza B with mycoplasma pneumoniae have severe symptoms and a long course of illness, suggesting the importance of early management of the epidemic.

Construction of a quality evaluation system for emergency pre-examination and triage under the normalization of COVID-19 epidemic based on the Servqual model

Objective: To build a quality evaluation system for emergency pre-test and triage under a normal COVID-19 epidemic, based on the Servqual model, and to improve the effect of emergency epidemic prevention and control and the quality of emergency pre-testing and triage under the normalization of COVID-19 epidemics. Methods: Based on the Servqual model, a quality evaluation system of emergency pre-examination and triage under the normalization of COVID-19 epidemic was developed. Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted by the Delphi method, involving 15 experts. Results: The recovery rates for the two rounds of expert consultation were 100%, the expert authority coefficient was 0.954, and the Kendall coordination coefficients were 0.273 and 0.182 . The coefficients of variation of the three-level indicators of the two rounds of expert consultation were 0.003-0.275 and 0.052-0.125, respectively. An evaluation system including 5 first-level indicators, 14 second-level indicators and 42 third-level indicators of 5 dimensions (feasibility, reliability, responsiveness, security, empathy) of the Servqual model was established. Conclusion: Based on the Servqual model, a quality evaluation system for emergency pre-examination and triage under the normalization of the COVID-19 epidemic situation was completed. It reflects the medical services, triage and epidemic prevention and control required to provide the requisite quality of emergency pre-examination and triage under the normalization of the COVID-19 epidemic situation. It provides a reference for the quality supervision of emergency pre-examination and triage under the normalization of the COVID-19 epidemic situation.

Impact of COVID-19-induced home quarantine on parental stress, as well as anxiety and depression among children

Background: One of the most important harmful effects related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the psychological effects that can affect all population groups. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of home quarantine caused by COVID-19 on parents' stress, as well as children's anxiety and depression. Methods: This study included 230 parents who had children aged 5-12 years. The data were collected using the Children Symptom Inventory (CSI-4) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), which were sent to people through the social messenger WhatsApp. (22). Different variables including the impact of the event, avoidance, intrusion, hyperarousal, anxiety, and depression were measured and analyzed using these two questionnaires. Results: The results of the correlation analysis showed that the impact of the quarantined event caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the IES-R subscales in parents were directly and significantly related to the anxiety and depression scores in their children. In addition, multivariate regression analysis showed that higher IES-R scores by parents can significantly predict higher anxiety and depression scores in children. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the home quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic causes stress in parents and this also increases anxiety and depression in their children. Therefore, it is suggested that in addition to the management, control, and treatment of these types of pandemic diseases, special attention be paid to their psychological effects, especially during home quarantine.

Management of centralized transition ward in a large general hospital in Shanghai during the epidemic caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant infection

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has seriously affected people's normal work, life, and medical treatment. Since Mar. 2022, there has been a pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant in Shanghai. In order to meet the needs of hospitalization for patients, and at the same time for better control of epidemic and nosocomial infections, a large hospital in Shanghai innovatively set up a centralized transition ward in the hospital, and established scientific rules of medical work, regulations for prevention of nosocomial infections and efficient norms for patient admission. During the operation of the ward, a total of 211 patients were treated and one of the patients was confirmed of COVID-19 recurrence. All work was carried out methodically, and neither hospitalized patients nor medical staff had nosocomial infection of COVID-19. The preparation, operation and management of the central transition ward in our hospital are summarized here to provide guidance and reference for general hospitals to carry out similar work under the epidemic.

Single center retrospective study on the distribution of pathogens in elderly patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To explore the distribution and correlation of pathogens in the elderly patients with AECOPD, so as to guide the rational use of antibiotics and hormones in clinic. Methods: A total of 111 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) admitted to Nanjing First Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The basic data such as eosinophil, neutrophil and lymphocyte count, the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)in blood routine examination were collected. Further, the pathogens were qualified by sputum fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the pathogens distribution was analyzed. Results: The level of ESR and the ratio of cardiovascular diseases showed significant differences between the pathogen-positive group and pathogen-negative group. In this study, the top five pathogens in AECOPD patients were EB virus (21.6%), Haemophilus influenzae (19.8%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (17.1%), herpes simplex virus(14.4%), influenza A virus(14.4%). The detection rate of influenza A virus was correlated with influenza B virus and Aspergillus (P < 0.05);The detection rate of respiratory syncytial virus was correlated with Candida, Moraxella catarrholis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (P < 0.05);The detection rate of Escherichia coli was correlated with rhinovirus, adenovirus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii (P < 0.05);The detection rate of Candida was correlated with that of Moraxella catarrholis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P<0.05);The detection rate of human coronavirus was correlated with Haemophilus influenzae, herpes simplex virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae(P < 0.05). Conclusions: AECOPD are mostly induced by different pathogens, especially mixed infection of bacteria and virus. It is helpful to guide the rational use of antibiotics by analyzing the etiological characteristics in the elderly patients with AECOPD.

Thoughts on diagnosis and treatment plan of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant in large shelter hospitals in Shanghai

The epidemic caused by the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant broke out in Shanghai in Mar. 2022. Omicron variant has characteristics such as strong concealment and rapid transmission, resulting in significant differences between the current round of epidemic and that in Wuhan. The number of infected patients (mainly asymptomatic infected patients) increased rapidly in a short term. Based on dynamic zero policy, shelter hospitals were set up in time in Shanghai to treat the patients. It is suggested that medical resources and patient characteristics should be taken into account in the independent cabin of a shelter hospital with more than 10 000 beds, and the clinical medical practice should be divided to 5 modes (universal education and management, community outpatient clinic, ward duty, emergency rescue, and temporary observation and transport) to optimize the allocation of medical resources, so as to further enhance the treatment capacity and efficiency of shelter hospitals.

Analysis on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome characteristics of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant in a shelter hospital in Shanghai

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant in a shelter hospital in Shanghai. Methods: A total of 621 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant from Apr. 4 to May 24, 2022 in a shelter hospital in Shanghai were enrolled. The data of the patients, including the general information and common clinical syndromes (such as fever, headache, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, and sputum), were collected on admission by TCM syndrome electronic scale, and core syndrome characteristics were analyzed base on the proportion of each symptom. The syndromes were divided according to the symptom score of patients, and the differences of disease course among the syndromes were compared. Results: The proportion of patients aged 30 to 49 years old was the highest among 621 patients infected with omicron variant (49.76%, 309/621). The most prominent symptoms were cough and expectoration, accounting for 62.32% (387/621) and 68.12% (423/621), respectively. The more common symptoms included sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, fatigue, muscle pain, and headache. White sputum was mostly seen in the expectoration and clear mucus was mostly seen in runny nose. According to the clinical symptoms, the core syndrome characteristic of patients infected with omicron variant was cold epidemic constraint in the lung featuring dampness and toxins. The main syndrome was plague invading the defensive exterior, accounting for 40.10% (249/621). The second and third ones were heat toxin attacking the lung syndrome (29.95%, 186/621) and dampness obstructing (17.55%, 109/621), while the least common syndrome was deficiency of qi and yin (7.73%, 48/621). The course of qi and yin deficiency was longer than the other 3 syndromes (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The core TCM syndrome characteristic of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant is cold epidemic constraint in the lung featuring dampness and toxins. The main syndrome is plague invading the defensive exterior. The pattern tends to convert into qi and yin deficiency along the long course.

Comparative analysis of epidemiological trends of COVID-19 in Shanghai and New York City

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of countermeasures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shanghai from March to May 2022 in comparison with epidemiological trend of COVID-19 in New York City. MethodsDaily confirmed cases, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers, and daily deaths were obtained in the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States. Descriptive study was conducted by using these data. ResultsFrom March 1 to May 17, the number of daily asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in Shanghai was up to 58 times as large as that of daily confirmed cases;however, the number of daily confirmed cases in Shanghai was generally less than that in New York in the same time period. At the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the growth of daily attack rate in Shanghai was significantly lower than that in New York (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of daily death was evidently less than that in New York. In addition, the vaccination rate in the elderly (aged 60 years) in Shanghai was evidently lower than that in New York (aged 65 years). ConclusionThe COVID-19 epidemics in Shanghai from March to May 2022 and in New York after December 2021 were both caused by the Omicron variant. Compared with the Delta variant, the Omicron variant has stronger replication ability and infectivity, resulting in challenges to the containment of the epidemic in metropolis such as Shanghai and New York City. The epidemic in New York City remained crucial due to absence of effective countermeasures, while that in Shanghai has been effectively contained with strict countermeasures. The prevention and control strategies may be adjusted along with the continual evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and increasing trend of imported COVID-19 cases.

Serological evaluation of immune effect of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in adult population in deqing county, Huzhou city, Zhejiang Province

ObjectiveTo investigate the specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in adults and above after initial vaccination with inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, and determine the influencing factors. MethodsIn this study, residents aged 18 and above who had completed two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province were included. Information such as gender, age, type of vaccine and vaccination time were collected, and serum specimens were sampled. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody was quantitatively examined by enzyma-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and influencing factors were determined. ResultsThe median concentration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in the residents vaccinated with an inactivated booster vaccine was higher than that in those vaccinated with only two doses of COVID-19 vaccine or single dose (P<0.05). The median concentration of IgG antibody in males was 9.73 (4.01-23.70) RUmL-1, lower than 17.76 (7.07-49.23) RUmL-1 in females (P<0.05). The median concentration in the residents vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) was 6.53 (0.97-13.69) RUmL-1, which was lower than that in those vaccinated with CoronaVac (Sinovac) that was 17.29 (8.54-43.73) RUmL-1 (P<0.05). The median concentration in those with BBIBP-CorV was also lower than 12 (5.45-40.06) RUmL-1 in those with heterologous booster vaccine (P<0.05). The median concentration was 9.73 (3.83-23.63) RUmL-1 in the residents with an interval of more than 6 months from the second dose, which was lower than 14.66 (6.36-35.98) RUmL-1 in those with an interval of 3-6 months (P<0.05). Moreover, immune effect was better in females (X2=16.464, P<0.05), 18-45 years (X2=7.158, P<0.05), and those vaccinated with CornaVac (X2=49.637, P<0.05), while decreased in those with an interval of more than 6 months from the second dose (X2=8.447, P<0.05). ConclusionGender, age, and type of vaccine may affect the effect of immunization. The COVID-19 vaccination shows an acceptable immunogenicity in adults;however, it declines in 6 months after vaccination. It warrants strengthening the booster vaccination to maintain the immune response.

Isolation, identification, and S1 gene sequencing of two strains of Avian Infectious bronchitis virus

Objective: Epidemiology and genetic variations of the infectious bronchitis virus(IBV) in Fujian province were studied. Method: Two strains of virus isolated from the diseased chickens in Fujian in 2021 were identified by chicken embryo pathogenicity test, electron microscope observation, and RT-PCR. S1 genes of the isolates were cloned, sequenced, and analyzed using biological software. Result: The two IBV strains were code named FJ-NP01 and FJ-FZ01. The full length of S1 of FJ-NP01 was 1 629 nt encoding 543 amino acids, and that of FJ-FZ01, 1 620 nt encoding 540 amino acids. The S1 gene cleavage site of FJ-FZ01 was HRRRR, same as all reference strains of genotype I branch;while that of FJ-NP01 HRRKR differed from the reported site of IBV isolated from genotype IV but same as that of TC07-2 reference strain of genotype VI. The homology of nucleotide and amino acid between the two isolates was 83.2% and 79.6%, respectively, but merely 75.7%-76.3%and 77.1%-83.5% with the Mass-type conventional vaccines H120 and H52, respectively. Further analysis showed that FJ-NP01was from a recombination event between CK CH GD LZ12-4 and L-1148, the homology of nucleotide acid between 1438-1506 nt of FJ-NP01 with CK CH GD LZ12-4 was 97%, and 95.9% between the other nucleotide acid of S1 gene with L-1148. Conclusion: It appeared that the IBV epidemic experienced in the province was complex in nature and that the existing Mass vaccines would not provide sufficient immune protection to deter the spread.

Viral shedding time and its influencing factors in different site samples of patients infected with Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron BA.2 variant

Objective: To analyze the viral shedding time and its influencing factors in different site samples of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARA-CoV-2) omicron BA.2 variant. Methods: Real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swab, sputum and anal swab from 217 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron BA.2 variant confirmed by gene sequencing in The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University). The differences of viral shedding time of different site samples were compared. Stratified analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the influencing factors of viral shedding time in different site samples. Results: The age of the 217 COVID-19 patients was 32.0 (24.0, 50.5) years old, 59.0% of them were males (n=128), and 41.0% were females (n=89). Eight (3.7%) cases were diagnosed with asymptomatic infection, 184 (84.8%) cases were mild type, 21 (9.7%) cases were moderate type, 3 (1.4%) cases were severe type, and 1 (0.5%) case was critical type. A total of 70 (32.3%) patients were treated with molnupiravir. The viral shedding time of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swab, sputum and anal swab was 13.0 (11.0, 17.0) d, 16.5 (13.0, 21.0) d and 10.0 (5.3, 11.0) d, respectively, with the differences being significant between them (all P<0.001). Age 60 years old, underlying diseases (especially hypertension, coronary artery diseases, or neurological diseases), and clinical classification of moderate type were risk factors for prolonged viral shedding time in nasopharyngeal swab;male sex and underlying diseases were risk factors for prolonged viral shedding time in sputum;and male sex was a risk factor for prolonged viral shedding time in anal swab. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that critical type was an independent risk factor for prolonged viral shedding time in nasopharyngeal swab (P<0.05), and male sex and underlying diseases were independent risk factors for prolonged viral shedding time in sputum (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Among patients infected with omicron BA.2 variant, the viral shedding time in sputum is the longest and that in anal swab is the shortest. Male patients and/or patients with underlying diseases have longer viral shedding time in sputum.

Antecedents and intervention mechanisms of institutional distrust of P2P accommodations during COVID-19 in China. (Special Issue: The sharing economy in a post-pandemic world.)

Purpose: COVID-19 affects the peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation industry. With regard to prospect theory, individuals' negative emotions, such as institutional distrust, are easily evoked and impede consumption intention in an environment of permeating uncertainty and risks. While existing research indicates the negative effects of institutional distrust, scant research has explored its antecedents and intervention mechanisms. This study thus aims to unveil the influencing factors and explore mitigating mechanisms of customers' institutional distrust of P2P accommodations. Design/methodology/approach: Online reviews data were used to identify the underlying critical issues. The authors developed a model to depict how institutional distrust is formed under the boundary condition of subjective norm by the results. The model was verified using a questionnaire survey. Finally, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to ensure its robustness. Findings: The external environment and internal platform effectiveness are two critical aspects affecting institutional distrust of P2P accommodations. The external environment influences institutional distrust through perceived threat, explaining the formation mechanism of customers' institutional distrust through customers' internal psychology. Furthermore, the authors found subjective norm moderating the effect of perceived threat on customers' institutional distrust. Research limitations/implications: This is one of the first studies, to the best of the authors' knowledge, to explore institutional distrust of P2P accommodations after COVID-19. The finding contributes to studies on P2P accommodation by uncovering the contingent role of subjective norm in influencing customers' institutional distrust. Originality/value: This is a pioneering study that explores the antecedents and mitigating mechanisms of institutional distrust of P2P accommodations during the new normal of COVID-19.

Duplex Taq man qPCR for detecting porcine epidemic diarrhea and transmissible gastroenteritis viruses and epidemic study in Fujian

Objective: A Taq Man probe-based duplex real-time PCR for rapid detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus(PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus(TGEV) was developed. A study was conducted using the methodology to analyze the related 2019-2021 epidemic occurred in Fujian. Method: Specific primers and probes labeled with FAM and VIC were designed to amplify the N gene of PEDV and the S gene of TGEV, respectively. A reaction system for the assay was established, optimized, and tested for sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability. The assay was used for the viral detection on297 suspected clinic specimens collected from 2019 to 2021 for an epidemiology study. Result: The newly developed duplex qPCR methodology showed a sensitivity of 10 copies.L-1 on PEDV and TGEV, which was 100 times higher than that of regular PCR. There were no cross reactions with other common viruses. The inter-and intra-assays had variations on Ct values below 1%. On the 297 specimens, the infection rate of PEDV was 88.89%, that of TGEV 1.01%, and that of both PEDV and TGEV 3.37%. Conclusion: The established duplex qPCR had high sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and reproducibility for detecting PEDV and TGEV. The 2019-2021 epidemic involving the viruses appeared to be mostly PEDV with low incidents of mixed TGEV and PEDV/TGEV infection.

Influence of COVID-19 prevention and control measures on incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in Jiading district, Shanghai

Objective: To analyze the changes in incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in Jiading district of Shanghai in the context of COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The incidence data of notifiable infectious disease in Jiading during 2017-2021 were collected for the comparison of the incidence rates before and after the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Results: The incidence rate of notifiable infectious diseases in Jiading was 167.59/100000 in 2020, 60.20% lower than the average level during 2017-2019 (421.04/100000) (X2=2424.369, P < 0.001)and the incidence rate was 213.82/100000 in 2021, 49.22% lower than the average level during 2017-2019 (X2=1 578.996, P < 0.001). The incidence of class B and C infectious diseases in 2020 and 2021 were lower than the average incidence during 2017-2019, and the incidence of class B infectious diseases decreased by 38.79% in 2020 and 30.70% in 2021, respectively. The incidence rate of class C decreased by 71.23% in 2020 and 58.76%in 2021, respectively. The incidence rates of intestinal infectious disease, respiratory infectious disease, blood infectious disease and sexually transmitted disease during 2020-2021 were lower than the average levels during 2017-2019, which decreased by 59.27%, 68.02% and 36.52% respectively in 2020, and decreased by 37.96%, 56.37% and 30.51% respectively in 2021. The incidence rates of HFMD in 2020 and 2021 were still highest during 2020-2021 (39.01/100000 and 75.87/100000). Conclusion: The implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures had influence on the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases with different transmission routes, especially the respiratory infectious diseases, but the influence on the rank of top five notifiable infectious diseases was not obvious.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage worldwide and the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has now replaced the Delta variant as the leading epidemic strain. Omicron, as one of the SARS-COV-2 variants, incorporates the most critical mutations of the Alpha and Delta variants, and is characterized by having multiple mutation sites, high viral load, stronger infectivity and immune escape, which significantly reduced the protective effect of the vaccine. However, compared with the previous SARS-CoV-2 strains, the Omicron variant is less likely to infect lung tissue, it usually causes mild clinical symptom with reduced hospitalization rate, severe disease rate and fatality rate. Three doses of allogeneic vaccine can offer better tolerance and immunogenicity, and improve the protective effect of the vaccines. The application of small-molecule antiviral drugs and neutralizing antibodies can significantly reduce the hospitalization rate and mortality rate.In this paper, the epidemiological and characteristics of the Omicron variant were reviewed in order to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Assessment of COVID-19 Omicron epidemic trend in Shanghai based on time-varying reproduction number

Objective: To assess the epidemic trend of COVID-19 Omicron and the effectiveness of containment measures in Shanghai by estimating the time-varying reproduction number (Rt). Methods: Based on the daily reported confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections in Shanghai from February 20 to April 26, 2022, the R package "Epiestim", which was built by Bayesian framework method, was used to estimate the variation curve of Rt during the epidemic period and to analyze the trend of the epidemic. Results: In the early stage of the epidemic, after the implementation of school closure and nuclear acid screening in some communities, Rt continued to fluctuate between 2.000 and 3.000, reaching a peak of 2.740 (95%CI: 2.640-2.830) on March 21, but began to decline around one week after the city lock-down on April 1. As of April 18, the Rt value in Shanghai was below the threshold of 1.000 for the first time, reaching 0.955 (95%CI: 0.951-0.961). Conclusion: After the implementation of public health measures with increasing strength of containment in Shanghai, the transmission rate gradually decreased, reflecting the effectiveness of the interventions. In the actual prevention and control process, the containment work should not be relaxed in order to keep the Rt below 1.000.

Specific antibodies of 95 health care workers vaccinated with inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccines

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immune antibodies in blood specimens of 95 health care workers vaccinated with inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccines and explore the rules and characteristics of production of antibodies after vaccination. METHODS: From Oct 2020 to Jul 2021, the venous blood specimens were collected from 95 health care workers of the 305 Hospital of PLA after the injection of 2 doses of 2019-nCoV vaccines fo30 days, 65 days, 91 days, 6 months and 9 months. SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobin(Ig) M, IgG and titers of neutralizing antibodies and total antibodies were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay, the results of antibody tests were dynamically analyzed, the immune durability of the antibody, influencing factors and correlation were determined. RESULTS: Almost all of the subjects produced IgG, neutralizing antibody and total antibody, some subjects retained high level of IgM titer. Smoking could affect the production of total antibody. The subjects of the low body weight group produced higher level of IgG, and there was no significant difference when the weight was over 60 kg. The titers of the four types of antibodies decreased significantly at the following time points, and the positive rates of all the antibodies were less than 50% except for IgG after the vaccination for 9 months. CONCLUSION: Specific IgM and IgG, neutralizing antibody and total antibody can be produced after the 2-doses vaccination of inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccines. But the titers and positive rates of the antibodies decrease with time, which means the protective effects on the body decrease. Therefore, in order to improve the autoimmunity against novel coronavirus, one booster vaccination of an inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine will be necessary after the 2 doses of vaccination for 6 months.