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Background: Information regarding effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant strains on clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women is limited. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the data from the nationwide COVID-19 registry in Japan. We identified pregnant patients with symptomatic COVID-19 hospitalized during the study period. The Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOC) predominant periods were defined as August 1 to December 31, 2021 and January 1 to May 31, 2022, respectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between the patients in the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 310 symptomatic COVID-19 cases of pregnant women were identified;111 and 199 patients were hospitalized during the Delta and Omicron VOC periods, respectively. Runny nose and sore throat were more common, and fatigue, dysgeusia, and olfactory dysfunction were less common manifestations observed in the Omicron VOC period. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, onset during the later stage of pregnancy (OR: 2.08 [1.24-3.71]) and onset during the Delta VOC period (OR: 2.25 [1.08-4.90]) were independently associated with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, whereas two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were protective against developing moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (OR: 0.34 [0.13-0.84]). Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnant women differed between the Delta and Omicron VOC periods. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was still effective in preventing severe COVID-19 throughout the Delta and Omicron VOC periods.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has elicited a wide range of national responses with an even wider range of outcomes in terms of infections and mortalities. Australia is a rare success story, keeping deaths comparatively low, and infections too, until the Omicron wave. What explains Australia's success? Typical explanations emphasise leaders' choices. We agree, but argue that leaders' choices, and whether these are implemented effectively, is shaped by the legacy of state transformation. Decades of neo-liberal reforms have hollowed out state capacity and confused lines of control and accountability, leaving Australia unprepared for the pandemic. Leaders thus abandoned plans and turned to ad hoc, simple to implement emergency measures - border closures and lockdowns. These averted large-scale outbreaks and deaths, but with diminishing returns as the Delta variant took hold. Conversely, Australia's regulatory state has struggled to deliver more sophisticated policy responses, even when leaders were apparently committed, including an effective quarantine system, crucial for border controls, and vaccination programme, essential for exiting the quagmire of lockdowns and closed borders, leading to a partial return to top-down governing. The Australian experience shows that to avoid a public health catastrophe or more damaging lockdowns in the next pandemic, states must re-learn to govern.
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Objective: The admission frequency of diseases, including dermatological diseases, has changed after the COVID-19 outbreak. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the diagnosis distribution of dermatology outpatient clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak by comparing it with the same period of the last year. Materials and Methods: The International Codes of Diseases (ICD-10) categories and patient's diagnoses were evaluated before and after the pandemic. All patients, who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic between June 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020, were included in our study. This information was compared with the same period of the previous year.
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Aim: Nowadays many people search the internet to gain health information including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. YouTubeTM is one of the most widely used websites. However, the quality and accuracy of health-related YouTubeTM videos are still controversial. In this study we aimed to research the COVID-19 vaccine hesitation in Turkey by using YouTube analyses method. Material and Method: In this study, "COVID 19'' OR "coronavirus'' OR "SARSCOV 2'' 'and "vaccine'' OR "vaccination'' and "vaccine hesitancy'' OR "vaccine hesitation'' keywords were used to search videos on YouTubeTM. Firstly, non-Turkish videos and duplicate videos were excluded. Some details about videos such as duration (seconds), view count, number of comments, total likes/ dislikes were recorded. DISCERN (Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information), JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) scores, and Video Power Index (VPI) values of the videos were calculated.
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This article explains why now is the time to reframe global health in the public eye. It suggests redefining global health and takes not of the fact that global health in medical schools and graduate medical education is rising in popularity. In addition, it emphasizes the inseparable link between global health and social justice and suggests practical steps forward.
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Background: COVID-19 has spread all over the world and became a global pandemic. In Indonesia, COVID-19 has officially defined the non-natural disaster of COVID-19 spread as national disaster in April 13th 2020. COVID-19 cases are predominant in adult population with higher severity particularly if accompanied with comorbidities resulting in a relatively high mortality rate. However, some recent studies showed that children are at a similar or higher risk to COVID-19 compared to adults. This study aims to evaluate the predictors of mortality in pediatric COVID-19 cases. Subjects and Method: This study used a cross-sectional design using data from medical records of pediatric patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the isolation ward of Dr Moewardi General Hospital from March 2020 to August 2021. All variables with significant result in the bivariate analysis were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Data were analyzed using SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics version 25) with significance of p value of < 0.05.
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Covid-19 has impacted the lives of people in various aspects positive as well as negative. It has animpact on different areas of life, including the economy, industries, global markets, agriculture, human health, etc. The virus caused disruptions to daily life and restrictions on activities in many communities during its multiple outbreaks. Hope for a potential end to the pandemic emerged with the stepping up of vaccination campaigns. However, the continual appearance of mutant strains and vaccine hesitancy has been problems both nationally and internationally. People's normal activities, routines, and livelihoods have been disrupted by self-isolation and quarantine, potentially leading to an increase in loneliness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, excessive alcohol and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal activity. The psychological aspects of the post-covid-19 era are the effect of covid-19 on CNS, and physiological and psychological diseases caused due to covid-19. The article explains Post Trauma Stress Disorder as a psychological scar, Social evils arising due to covid-19, and predictive reasons for the increase in mental illness.
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Background: Although COVID-19 preferentially affects the respiratory system, it has been demonstrated that coronaviruses frequently invade the nervous system. Objectives: We aimed to report the frequency and type of neurological manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
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Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is an invasive disease caused by fungi. Diabetes mellitus and solid organ transplantation are known risk factors, while it is increasingly recognized in patients with COVID-19 although the exact causal relationship is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment with liposomal amphotericin B with surgical debridement carries a better outcome in these patients. We present a case of extensive rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis involving the paranasal sinuses, left orbit, cavernous sinus, middle cranial fossa with abscess formation in the left middle cerebellar peduncle in a 46-year-old kidney transplant recipient with concomitant COVID-19 infection.
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A number of in Vitro experiments and clinical studies have shown that classical quinoline antimalarial drugs such as quinine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, mefloquine, not only have anti-plasmodial effects, but also have a wide range of antiviral effects against influenza Virus, hepatitis Virus, yellow fever virus, human immunodeficiency Virus and coronavirus infections. This review briefly describes the research advances and clinical application of the antiviral effects of 4- aminoquinoline drugs, hoping to provide useful information for in-depth research and utilization of anti-malarial drugs for combating Virus infections.
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Since December 2019, a new type of coronavirus called novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, or COVID-19) was identified in Wuhan, China and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. With more than 101,797,158 confirmed cases, resulting in 3,451,354 deaths as of May 21, 2021, the world faces an unprecedented economic, social, and health impact. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 has a wide range of manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic state or mild respiratory symptoms to severe viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several diagnostic methods are currently available for detecting the coronavirus in clinical, research, and public health laboratories. Some tests detect the infection directly by detecting the viral RNA using real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and other tests detect the infection indirectly by detecting the host antibodies. Additional techniques are using medical imaging diagnostic tools such as X-ray and computed tomography (CT). Various approaches have been employed in the development of COVID-19 therapies. Some of these approaches use drug repurposing (e.g. Remdesivir and Dexamethasone) and combinational therapy (e.g. Lopinavir/Ritonavir), whilst others aim to develop anti-viral vaccines (e.g. mRNA and antibody). Additionally, health experts integrate data sharing, provide with guidelines and advice to minimize the effects of the pandemic. These guidelines include wearing masks, avoiding direct contact with infectious people, respiratory and personal hygiene. Taken together, an extensive knowledge on transmission mechanisms, clinical spectrums, specific diagnostics methods, host-virus interactions are required to tackle this pandemic.
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It is currently unknown how effective the COVID-19 vaccine is at preventing new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among the general population. The study suggests that a safe and efficient vaccination against the COVID-19 could help manage this pandemic if widely distributed. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in between vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts. A retrospective multicenter cohort study comprised 1244 COVID-19 positive patients enrolled in this study from three different hospitals among patients who had been appropriately vaccinated or not between April and June 2021. Data were collected by face-to-face survey, and clinical investigations were obtained by observation. Descriptive statistics and the Cox proportional hazard model of survival analysis were performed in the study. Among the participants, 69% of vaccinated cohorts did not require hospitalization, and 97% successfully recovered from the infection. In respect of age, compared with unvaccinated cohorts, the vaccine effectiveness varied from 81% to 92%. The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine was more effective among those aged 60-69 years old and reduced 92% hazard of death than the unvaccinated group [HR ratio - 0.081(.036-.179), P=0.0001]. The study found the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine is highly effective for receivers. The COVID-19 vaccination demonstrated a significant correlation with a reduced probability of disease severity, hospital admission rate, early recovery from illness, and mortality.
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Risk prevention measures are more likely to be accepted if people trust risk managers and their ability to handle the crisis, which often depends on who communicates with the public. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Canadian officials became the main spokespersons of pandemic response in their jurisdiction, speaking almost daily to the public. We evaluated how the primary official for each jurisdiction chose to communicate about epidemiological modeling with the public and how they used modeling data to support their pandemic decisions. We conducted textual and visual analyses of press conferences held in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Then, we asked focus group participants who they trusted the most and the least for information on COVID-19. We identified two main communication styles: compassionate-informative and condescending-evasive. Spokespersons following the former demonstrate a trust-building effort by providing straightforward answers, demonstrating expertise, while showing empathy and risk management competence. Those who followed the latter style predominantly offered superficial and defensive responses, engaging in blame-shifting and politicizing risk. Focus group participants trusted most the spokespersons who follow a compassionate-informative style are considered trustworthy, which could increase compliance with public health measures. However, those who use the condescending-evasive style were seen as less trustworthy. Our results underscore, first, the importance of disassociating political agendas from risk communication and emergency response during public health crises. Second, spokespersons should be trained in risk and crisis communication to engage with reporters and the public positively. Finally, crisis communication should emphasize the scientific evidence behind guidelines, while acknowledging scientific uncertainty.
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Mental health has worsened, and substance use has increased for some people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Some cross-sectional studies suggest that higher COVID-19 risk perceptions are related to poorer mental health and greater risk behaviours (e.g. substance use). However, longitudinal and genetic data are needed to help to reduce the likelihood of reverse causality. We used cross-sectional, longitudinal, and polygenic risk score (PRS;for anxiety, depression, wellbeing) data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We examined cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal associations between COVID-19 risk perceptions (i.e. cognitive, affective, self, other, and a combined 'holistic' measure) and mental health (i.e. anxiety, depression), wellbeing, and risk behaviours. Pandemic (April-July 2020) and pre-pandemic (2003-2017) data (ns = 233-5,115) were included. Higher COVID-19 risk perceptions (holistic) were associated with anxiety (OR 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20 to 3.52), depression (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.18), low wellbeing (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.13), and increased alcohol use (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.72). Higher COVID-19 risk perceptions were also associated with self-isolating given a suspected COVID-19 infection (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.68), and less face-to-face contact (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98) and physical contact (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.00). Pre-pandemic anxiety (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.09) and low wellbeing (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.74) were associated with higher COVID-19 risk perceptions. The depression PRS (b 0.21, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.40) and wellbeing PRS (b - 0.29, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.09) were associated with higher and lower COVID-19 risk perceptions, respectively. Poorer mental health and wellbeing are associated with higher COVID-19 risk perceptions, and longitudinal and genetic data suggest that they may play a causal role in COVID-19 risk perceptions.
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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase social, economic, and psychological risks, including increased perceived stress - or the degree to which a person perceives a stressor and their ability to cope with it. The current study uses novel data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess the role of a range of demographic and disaster-related experiential variables on perceived stress (n = 744). Hierarchical linear regression indicates that women experience greater perceived stress than men and as age and educational attainment increase, perceived stress decreases. Respondents experiencing rent/mortgage stress, job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, anticipated reliance on others, and worry about ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on their physical health, the economy, and personal relationships also experience increased perceived stress. Results provide empirical evidence of risks stemming from the multiple concerns (i.e., financial, psychological, and physical health) of U.S. residents regarding the COVID-19 disaster. Findings indicate the need for policy and legislative actions, such as the U.S.-wide eviction moratorium, to support individuals suffering from multiple impacts from the pandemic and to reduce perceived stress and its attendant risks including increased incidents of posttraumatic stress and depression.
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Surveys were conducted in New Jersey, Tennessee, Indiana and Arizona in collaboration with low-income housing agency to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pest control practices and pest infestations in five states. In total, 39 completed surveys were received. Survey data indicates the majority (77 percent) of housing agencies used contracted pest control services. Only 11 percent of surveyed agencies used in-house staff to deal with pest issues. In-house staff are familiar with the properties and residents. Using in-house licensed staff to manage pest issues has several advantages: it saves the cost of staff escorting contractors one to two days a month in each property;it is more flexible than hiring a con-tractor for scheduling, treating emergency complaints and planning follow-up in-spections and re-treatments;and it is likely much cheaper for in-house staff to conduct nonchemical control procedures such as rodent proofing, decluttering or cleaning compared to contracted services. This study found evidence of decreased pest control cost due at least partially to reduced service visits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-six percent of surveyed agencies experienced changes in scheduled services, and all of the changes were pandemic-related policy changes implemented by the housing agencies. The current contracted services generally met the expectations of the housing agencies. Housing managers and residents believe that lack of resident cooperation and property maintenance are responsible for high pest prevalence or control failures. There were increased pest complaints (except bed bugs) and infestations in low-income housing with the greatest increase associated with cockroaches. Despite the continued high pest infestation rates, the current pest control contracts meet the housing agencies' expectations. There remains a strong need to educate housing agency personnel and residents to help them adopt more effective pest management policies and contracts and to reduce the indoor pest infestations significantly.
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The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed numerous challenges on the already strained South African healthcare system. The impact of the pandemic on biokinetics services has not yet been established. Based on a descriptive and explorative design, an online survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on biokinetics services and its implications for practice. The online survey included a questionnaire circulated to practicing biokineticists (n=125) in South Africa over a 4-month period (which coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown) using social media platforms (personal Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts). The questionnaire was designed to explore and describe the impact of the pandemic on biokinetics practices, the use of alternative virtual servicing platforms related to operational aspects and types of patients likely to engage with the virtual platforms. The survey also included a description of the biokineticists' engagement with the digital platform during the pandemic. Findings indicated that 10% of all biokinetics practices were closed permanently as a result of the pandemic. Many of the respondents reported that their patient base was not suited to digital exercise prescription (p=0.011). Awareness of the effects and subsequent implications of COVID-19 pandemic on the biokinetics profession is important as this could inform policy and practice. Evidence-based studies are needed to guide the changing landscape of the profession.
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Producing safe and high-quality fish and seafood products, for both domestic and export markets must be considered a priority for the entire fish and seafood chain, from fishers and producers towards consumers and food safety competent national authorities, who should update the relevant food safety legislation and ensure compliance with it. The aim of this study is to highlight the rules of hygiene and food safety that are imposed on the fisheries and seafood sector in order to prevent staff illness with Covid-19 and ensure the safety of products. Several practical recommendations are given for completion and improvement of the current preventive measures such as good hygiene practices to which is added specific protocols to safeguard the health of the employees who works in the fish and seafood production and processing sector.
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This special issue contains 13 articles that discuss interrelationships between risk, decision-making and society, promote better risk management practices, and Contribute to the development of risk management methodologies in the areas of social, physical and health sciences, engineering, public policy and administration, and media and communication studies, focusing on risk challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This article aimed to investigate and collect essential information on the problems suffered by producers due to mandatory preventive confinement measures and mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, as perceived by producers in the area. Farmers in the region identified three major impacts: a decrease in money available to invest in agriculture, a decrease in available labor, and increased difficulty in mobilisation. These impacts are a clear result of the confinement and restrictions placed on the prevention of the epidemic, which caused contractions in demand for products, made it impossible for people to move, and placed limitations on the opening and capacity of supply centres. Looking ahead, the majority of interviewees stated that, even if the restrictions remain in place, they will continue with their agricultural activities, with some resorting to savings or credits and seeking new marketing strategies. The above results are consistent with the context of the region, which is agricultural and mainly rural. While producers are concerned about the possibility of contagion, and some have even reported symptoms, the main impact on their productive activity, and thus on their income and food security, is the main impact.